He said borrowing money from illegal moneylenders (Ah Long) is a disciplinary offence as police personnel should obtain approval from the department head before taking any loans.

“If a policeman borrows from a loan shark and, say, he is unable to repay, his house will be splashed with red paint.

“When he lodges a report, an internal department investigation will be conducted for borrowing without the permission of the department head.

“It is an offence even if the moneylender is licensed as the person is taking a loan without going through the proper channels,” he told reporters after a parade in conjunction with the state-level celebration Police Day celebration at the Kedah police contingent headquarters here today.

Hasanuddin said he had not received any reports of policemen borrowing from loan sharks but warned them against being trapped by these moneylenders.