IT SADDENED me to hear that many who had invested in Lehman Brothers-linked Minibonds had lost their hard-earned savings.

Recent events have proven that things can go wrong, even for reputable, trustworthy financial institutions.

Banks should improve the way they market and sell risky financial products, and customers who wish to place their money in fixed deposits should not be cajoled into investing their funds.

Financial jargon in prospectuses must be simplified. If need be, they should be translated into Chinese, Malay and Tamil.

Those whose investments have failed will naturally be angry, and some might sink into depression.

My advice to them is to stay calm and look ahead.

Let the authorities sort out the mess and, if possible, work with other similarly-affected investors to seek legal redress.

In such a situation, there is strength in numbers.

Most importantly, stay positive.

Though hard-earned money might have been lost, one still has what money cannot buy.

A happy family, good health and meaningful friendships give one hope for a better tomorrow.

Previously, I lost over $200,000 in the stock market, but I have since focused on the intangibles in my life which have seen me through many trials and tribulations.

Money and riches can buy cars, houses and things, but not love, hope and relationships.

Mr Gilbert Goh Keow Wah

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