After 20 days of being caught in a predicament by Bank Negara's raid on gold company Genneva, a brief meeting with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak yesterday brought some relief for some 60,000 customers with millions in savings in the precious metal.

Genneva Supporters Group spokesperson M.Shanti met Najib briefly before he entered PWTC for the Supreme Council meeting.

"We are very happy with prime minister's reassurance, telling us not to worry," said Shanti.

She then quoted Najib as saying: "I already know about you all and your Genneva case. We are working on it. Don't worry, we are looking into it."

Shanti also handed over an appeal letter to the PM stating that over 240,000 family members were dependent on the benefits from Genneva hibah and commissions.

The letter signed by Shanti read: "We use the hibah for medical expenses like operations, dialysis, children's education fees and family's expenses.

The whys for requesting help

"Taxes, loans, and even the economy of the country has received our support as we were able to make timely payments.

"For retired customers, aged 60 to 80, it was their live long savings which was bringing hope in the form of hibah (discretionary gift) based on the principles of Syariah.. Many of us are dependent on the hibah and commissions for our livelihood."

Shanti said they wanted the government to unfreeze Genneva Malaysia assets and company account enabling it to fulfill its obligations to its customers.

At the same time she urged the government to regulate the gold trading industry in Malaysia.

Genneva's customers were given false hopes by a hoax letter circulated stating that Genneva has been reopened and the customers could go to the office to collect their gold.

 Millions of ringgit are now at stake following the raid and suspension of Genneva's operations.

Todate, Shanti said: "Genneva has fulfilled its obligations to us as customers.

Some of these gold buyers date back to about three years ago when it opened for business at the end of 2010 launched by the former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, on 15th December 2010."

Shanti called on the government to act swiftly and direct Bank Negara to allow Genneva to recommence operations and thereby safeguard and protect its 60,000 customers.

[More to follow]