KUALA LUMPUR- After scrimping and saving for the past 20 years, an IT customer service executive thought that he could finally have a home he could call his own, only to see his dream turn into a nightmare.
Jonathan Rasiah, 46, led a frugal life for 20 years and managed to purchase a double-storey house in Bandar Kinrara for RM530,000 and was looking forward to moving in in August.
But as the year draws to an end, Jonathan is no closer to moving into his dream house because of the irresponsible acts of the former owner.
Jonathan purchased the house in Bandar Kinrara 4 in February after being introduced to the owner, C.K. Chong, by a real estate agent.
It was an exciting moment for him and his wife, Serene Jeevam.
The first hint of trouble came the following month when his house was splashed with red paint in the middle of the night.
Jonathan contacted Chong and asked for an explanation.
"Chong told me that he owed several loan sharks money but assured me that he would settle the problem and it would not happen again.
"I also lodged a police report over the incident."
"Debt collectors and loan sharks have splashed paint on my new house no fewer than four times, despite the fact that I do not owe them a single sen," he said yesterday.
"They have locked the front gate of my new house on several occasions and even told the contractor I hired that the house was not 'safe'.
"My plans of moving into the house in August was a pipe dream."
To make matters worse, the previous home owner has disconnected his phone line and is no longer reachable.
The loan sharks have turned their full attention on Jonathan and demanded full settlement of the loan.
In desperation, Jonathan sought the assistance of MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong, who urged the former homeowner to come forward and clear the air.
"I am willing to assist the home owner in clearing his debts with the loan sharks, but he should come forward as Jonathan is the real victim here. He purchased the house in good faith," Chong said.
- New Straits Times
No comments:
Post a Comment