KOTA BARU: Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the red graffiti reading “11–9=2” was meant to intimidate him over tough action against loan shark activities.
Mohd Yusoff said there were many interpretations of the message, but he viewed it as an attempt to psychologically unsettle the authorities.
“They deliberately created it to make us question its meaning. To me, the number two symbolises a choice between life and death.
“The number nine could refer to D9, which is metal or a weapon, while the meaning of 11 is unclear,” he told reporters.
Police said the threat, received on Dec 22, was written in red ink on the wall of the Kelantan Contingent Police Firing Range in Gunung, Bachok.
Mohd Yusoff, aged 58, has held the top post since Oct 28, 2024.
The threat may stem from a recent crackdown involving the reclassification of over 100 loan shark cases, he said.
Mohd Yusoff added that such acts of graffiti and paint splashing were typically associated with loan shark syndicates.
“Usually, when there is graffiti or paint splashed, it is the work of loan shark groups.
“But we are not afraid — not even a little,” he said.
It was reported earlier that police had recorded statements from four local men in their 20s in connection with the incident, but they were later released on bail.
“They were brought in to assist investigations. All four are locals.
“Whether they were hired by loan sharks is still being investigated. We are looking at all angles,” he said.
Loan sharks, or along, operate illegally in Malaysia, charging exorbitant interest rates and using threats or violence to collect debts. They often target people who cannot access formal banking, creating serious safety and social concerns.
Police have intensified crackdowns in recent years, raiding syndicate operations and arresting collectors.
Despite these efforts, enforcement remains risky, with authorities sometimes facing intimidation from loan shark networks.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
