‘Hubby owes many people’
Woman paying the price for not being aware of spouse’s debts
GEORGE TOWN: They took her photo from social media, added her name, address and the word “cheater” to create posters and pasted them around her apartment block.
The victim, who wished to be known only as Lau, claimed it was her estranged husband who had disappeared after borrowing an unknown amount of money from many people.
Lau, 41, hopes the debt collectors, believed to be working for loan sharks, will go after her missing husband, who worked as an e-hailing driver, instead.
She said her husband, 44, disappeared on July 10.
“I sought a lawyer to file for divorce.
“He owes many people money but I am not sure how much.
“My main focus is to care for my three children now,” she told a press conference arranged by Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng at his service centre here.
The three children are aged 12, 14 and 18.
Lau filed a police report after discovering over 20 posters pasted on walls outside her apartment compound in Ayer Itam.
“I hope the people who did this understand that I did not sign any documents as a guarantor and was not aware of the loans.
“We have cut ties with my (estranged) husband. Please go after him as he is the one who owes you money,” she said.
Lau said her estranged husband’s family had also been harassed.
She said the debt collectors were not rude but kept asking for him to come out of hiding or they would “do something”.
“I am worried for our safety. None of us are responsible for his action but we are having to pay the price for it.
“They even came to my doorsteps and asked for money,” she added.
Lau claimed that this was the third time that her missing husband had done this.
“Previously, we forgave him but not anymore, ” she said.
Teh said he hoped the debt collectors would leave Lau and her family alone and find the defaulter instead.
I hope the people who did this understand that I did not sign any documents as a guarantor and was not aware of the loans. Lau