Investors unfazed by latest MBI International episode

Still operating: Investors shopping as usual at M Mall in Penang.

GEORGE TOWN: MBI International investors are still keeping faith with the group despite news that a key member of the organisation has been arrested and 98 local bank accounts linked to it have been frozen.

Many believe that the episode is temporary and would be over soon.

A 65-year-old investor said the majority of his friends were not worried.

“Out of 10 friends, perhaps two or three of them are slightly worried.

“The rest of us believe this episode will pass soon,” the retired bookkeeper said yesterday.

However, he said he would start using more of his virtual coins at M Mall, MBI’s mall in Penang Times Square.

MBI members can convert their virtual coins to loyalty points to purchase goods such as groceries, household appliances and even cars.

The investor said he also invested in JJPTR, the money game which was crippled recently but accepted it as “investment risks”.

“I lost about RM1,000 in JJPTR. I accept it. We cannot win all the time. That is why it is called investment.

“Investment comes with risks,” he said.

Another investor, a salesman, said he was not concerned about the latest operation by the authorities.

“No one in my MBI investors’ WeChat group has commented on the recent incident,” he added.

M Mall was still operating yesterday.

However, most traders there refused to comment when approached by reporters.

In a press conference at Bank Negara Malaysia yesterday, Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry enforcement chief Datuk Mohd Roslan Mahayudin said it was all right for M Mall to run as usual.

“They can continue their business until we complete our investigation. We will decide after that,” he said.