THE Kelantan Police Chief’s determination to clamp down on illegal money-lending syndicates, commonly known as alongs, may have prompted threats against him, he has said.
Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat revealed that he had instructed a review of old cases involving threats against victims of loan sharks, which had previously been classified at the district level as no further action (NFA), according to Sinar Harian.
“From January to November last year alone, we reopened 72 cases.
“As of December, the number had increased to more than 100 cases after they were reclassified when they were identified as having prima facie cases,” he told reporters at the Kelantan Police Contingent Headquarters on Monday, January 13.
He explained that the cases involved victims who had been threatened after falling behind on loans or being burdened by excessive interest, including offences under Section 5(1) of the Moneylenders Act 1951.
The victims were not limited to villagers, but also included teachers and permanent employees who had become trapped in debt and were under extreme psychological stress.
“Imagine borrowing RM40,000 and paying RM200,000, yet still being in debt. It’s cruel. Some victims become so stressed that they develop suicidal tendencies,” Mohd Yusoff said.
The Police Chief stressed that tackling illegal money lending formed one of the five main priorities of his administration, alongside drugs and border security. He added that the syndicates operating in Kelantan were often brought in from other states, including Kuala Lumpur, Johor, and Penang, working through local “gangster” networks.
Mohd Yusoff said the groups frequently used physical and psychological intimidation, including paint spraying, vandalism, and overt threats, which he described as commercial crimes. He did not dismiss the possibility that the threats against him were in response to sustained police pressure, particularly following swift enforcement action.
“I am not afraid of any threats; I will continue to investigate all angles,” he reiterated.
Addressing reports of the cryptic “11–2=9” symbol scrawled on a wall in the Bachok area, Mohd Yusoff said the police had drawn no preliminary conclusions, suggesting the symbol may have been deliberately designed to confuse investigators.
Last week, four men in their twenties were taken in for questioning to provide statements assisting the investigation into the threats. - January 13, 2026
