Couple’s housing loan woe settled

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JOHOR BARU: A couple are relieved to solve their five-year woe with a bank which has been refusing to adhere to a mortgage contract signed by their son who died in 2006.

Retiree Kim Chin Soon, 52, said that they can now breathe a sigh of relief after Johor Mentri Besar’s special aide Loh Teh Hian and Gelang Patah MCA division chief Jason Teoh managed to settle the problem in six months.

He explained that his deceased son Kim Guang Choon had included a mortgage reducing term assurance (MRTA) policy in the sales and purchase agreement for his house that was bought in March, 2006.

“However, a month later, my son passed away at the age of 23 and the bank insisted that we continue paying the house loan, giving the reason that my son’s death was classified as unknown as he died in his sleep,” he told a press conference here recently.

Grateful: Kim (second from left) and his wife Heng Gik Kee, 48, presenting framed calligraphy works as a token of appreciation. With him are Loh (second from right) and Teoh (far left).

Kim pointed out that Guang Choon, who worked at a factory in Singapore had passed away in his sleep at his girlfriend’s house in the republic and according to the doctor’s medical report, he died of sudden cardiac arrest.

He also said that after facing the issue for so long, he was at his wits’ end and decided to seek assistance from Loh and Teoh in March, this year.

“Loh helped us solve the matter by bringing the matter to Bank Negara’s attention.

“My wife and I feel that our burden has been lifted when we received a letter from the bank dated Aug 12 informing us that they have waived the remaining amount of the housing loan,” said the father of five.

Loh said that he made more than 10 visits to the bank to meet with officers to discuss the matter and commended Bank Negara for its prompt action.

“When the public approach us for help, we may not solve it immediately, but we do carry out follow-ups to help them settle their problems as soon as possible,” he said.

After the press conference, Kim presented both Loh and Teoh with a framed calligraphy work as a token of appreciation.