The constant availability of online gambling can be highly addictive, often leading to catastrophic consequences. An elderly man in Johor recently reached his breaking point after helping a youth who had become trapped in a cycle of online gambling.
He reached out to Marina Ibrahim, the Johor State Assemblywoman (ADUN) for Skudai, to share his predicament. According to the elderly man, he had previously helped the youth, out of the goodness of his heart, to settle debts with five different loan sharks and had even graciously allowed the young man to stay at his home.
The cycle repeats: Five new debts
Despite this assistance, the youth eventually trapped himself again, accumulating debts with five more loan sharks. The elderly man admitted to Marina that he had run out of ideas on how to further assist the youth, who is also a person with a disability (OKU).
In a Facebook post today (12 February), the Skudai ADUN remarked that in such toxic cycles, the responsibility ultimately lies with the addicted individuals who struggle to break free.
Accompanied by a friend, Marina confronted the youth, forcing him to reflect on the gravity of his actions.
āYouāve applied for loans here and there. How much have you actually won?” she asked.
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The youth remained silent. Marina took the opportunity to warn the public about the hidden dangers of online gambling, noting that it is rarely just about the addiction itself, but the predatory ecosystem that accompanies it.
A “package deal” with loan sharks
In her post, the Skudai ADUN highlighted that online gambling is far more dangerous than many realise, as it is often “packaged” with easy-access loans run by loan sharks.
āMany of these loans today are incredibly easy to apply for; everything is done online. You are well aware of the high interest rates, yet when you can’t pay, you’re quick to blame the lenders for pursuing you,” she noted.
Marina added that she has encountered many similar cases, some even involving students.
She urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s phone activities, warning that games which appear harmless may, in reality, be traps leading to financial ruin.
Also read: Loan Sharks Threaten Malaysian Woman Over Ex-BFās RM1,500 Debt, Claim 6yo Daughter as Guarantor
