Chinese in Malaysia told not to protest amid ‘investment scam’ anger

Embassy warns its nationals that street demonstrations are illegal after scores reportedly staged a protest outside the building over losses from an online pyramid scheme

A local Chinese-language newspaper says a demonstrator claimed three million Chinese nationals are victims of the scam

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Scores of Chinese nationals staged a demonstration outside their embassy in Malaysia claiming they had lost their life savings to a local investment company. Photo: Irene Andy/Facebook

Published: 5:00pm, 25 Oct 2019Updated: 9:28pm, 25 Oct 2019

The Chinese embassy in Malaysia has warned its citizens not to engage in street protests following reports that scores of its nationals had staged a demonstration outside the building claiming they had lost their life savings to a local investment company.

“The embassy understands that there are many Chinese nationals who are still in Malaysia because of the case, and reminded [these people], who are on a tourist visa, not to demonstrate as it is illegal,” the embassy said in one of two statements released on Wednesday.

In its second statement, it explained that on October 17 about 100 Chinese nationals had approached the embassy to complain of being “cheated” through a Malaysian online pyramid scheme, demanding that the company, MBI Group International, return their money.

The embassy said it had attempted to help by recommending Malaysia-based lawyers and holding legal consultation sessions. It urged Malaysian police to pay greater attention to the case and launch investigations as soon as possible.

In an earlier statement, the embassy said that on October 20 it had invited Chinese lawyers in Malaysia to hold a legal dialogue with “about 200 Chinese nationals who have come to Malaysia because of the MBI case”.

It also urged Chinese citizens not to participate in any “unsecured investment channels”, and reminded Chinese demonstrators that protesting in groups is illegal in Malaysia and that it hoped Chinese nationals would abide by Malaysian laws.