Home Affairs Ministry to consider borrowing from loansharks an offence
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Home Affairs Ministry is considering making borrowing from loansharks an offence in the country.
Speaking at the annual Police Workplan seminar on Thursday, Deputy
Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng noted that while
the overall crime figure has fallen by three per cent from January to
March this year as compared to the same period in 2008, unlicensed
moneylending harassment cases for this period have almost doubled.
It has gone up from 2,066 cases to 3,993 cases.
To step up efforts to combat this public menace, police have
recently acquired more CCTVs which will be installed at
harassment-prone sites to detect loan sharks and harassers in the act.
Mr Wong said such CCTV footage will also aid police investigations.
Another step would be to make borrowing from loansharks an offence.
He said this would hold borrowers accountable if their reckless
borrowing or gambling habits endanger the safety and security of the
community.
The Home Affairs Minister revealed that from the arrests made,
police conclude that many borrowers eventually joined the loanshark
criminal organisation as runners to carry out harassment and vandalism
- hence the need to nip the problem decisively on the bud.
Mr Wong also touched on manpower challenges being faced by the Singapore Police Force.
He said the Ministry recognised that resources were stretched and
it has been working with police commanders and senior leaders to
address this.
The Ministry will be creating 220 new frontline staff posts at existing Neighbourhood Police Centres.
- CNA/yb
GOOD!
gd in a way
Might as well ask bank to lower down their interest rate. That could also reduce ppl from borrowing the illegal way.