PENANG police have arrested 13 unlicensed moneylenders in a special operation aimed at combating the menace of loan sharks and their illegal activities.

Penang police chief Khaw Kok Chin said the 13 were detained at separate locations throughout the state within 24 hours since the operation started yesterday.

“Penang police have formed a special task force to tackle the menace of loan sharks. This operation is also in response to a threat targeted at me, believed to be by them,” he said in a statement today.

“The task force, comprising 112 officers, was divided into 28 teams, involving personnel from the Crime Investigating Department (CID), Commercial CID and Narcotics CID.”

Yesterday, media reports said Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani had stressed that police were on the trail of suspects who had sent a warning letter to the Penang police chief that contained elements of threat and warning.

Acryl Sani was reported as saying that the police would not compromise with any individual or syndicate that issue threats against police officers when carrying out their duties, aimed at wiping out criminal or illegal activities in the country.

Khaw said the 13 suspects were detained and investigated under section 5(2) Moneylenders Act 1951.

“A large-scale operation is being carried out continuously by the police to wipe out illegal money-lending syndicates,” he said.

“We will not compromise on the activities of illegal moneylenders.”

Khaw also said Penang police have received four reports lodged against Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over his claim that Penang belongs to Kedah.

He said the case would be investigated by the Bukit Aman Classified Crime Investigation Unit under section 505(b) of the penal code as well as the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. – Bernama, June 6, 2023.