Myanmar Police Not Contacting Us Yet: Justice for Myanmar Ready to Help Police Investigate Former Deputy Minister’s Alleged Links to Scam Center

KUALA LUMPUR – Justice for Myanmar (JFM), a Burmese human rights organisation that alleged the involvement of a former Malaysian deputy minister of religion in a scam centre in Myawaddy, has not yet been contacted by the police here.

JFM said the Malaysian police have not yet been contacted but are determined to assist in the investigation into Umno politician Datuk Mashitah Ibrahim and her husband Datuk Abdul Shakor Abu Bakar.

“The Malaysian police have not contacted us. We are prepared to support the investigations with information and documentation,” JFM spokesperson Yadanar Maung said in a statement to Scoop.

Yesterday, police inspector Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that police are trying to obtain an article published by the Myanmar government to help investigate allegations linking a former deputy minister and her husband to organised crime activities in Myanmar.

The country’s top police official is believed to have been referring to a JFM report from May detailing the alleged roles of Malaysian figures – including Mashitah and Shakor – in a scam known as Dongmei Zone.

Meanwhile, Yadanar also said that JFM welcomes the investigations by local police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into Mashitah’s involvement in the “infamous” Dongmei Park scam.

“The Malaysian authorities must swiftly investigate all Malaysian nationals involved in transnational crime in Myanmar and ensure they are fully held to account.

“Dongmei Park’s business model is focused on human suffering and the destruction of lives, profiting from human trafficking and cyber slavery,” she added.

She also said that Malaysia, as the next chair of ASEAN, must demonstrate to the people of Myanmar and the region that it will not tolerate its citizens’ involvement in human trafficking and cyber slavery.

“Malaysia must take a clear stand against doing business with the military junta and its militias, refuse to grant the junta legitimacy and reject its sham elections.”

In a press release on its website last night, JFM said it had noted Razarudin’s statements and welcomed the investigation by the police and MACC into the alleged involvement of Mashitah and Shakor in the Dongmei zone.

The public should be informed about the research results, JFM said.

The Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), which submitted a report to the MACC on Wednesday, also urged an investigation into the same matter.

Although the non-governmental organisation refused to reveal to the press the names of Malaysian figures mentioned in its report to MACC, Mashitah yesterday filed a police complaint against those who linked her to Myanmar’s underworld.

She specifically criticised MHO, saying it “adheres to Islamic teachings” and denied being involved in any activities that conflict with religious principles or Malaysian law.

Scoop previously reported on Malaysia’s apparent ties to Dongmei Zone, a heavily guarded location that is home to a high level of criminal activity, drug trafficking and brothels linked to prominent Malaysian figures as investors.

Malaysia is believed to be involved in the project through Grand Commerce Network Sdn Bhd, a decade-old company jointly owned by Mashitah and Shakor, a former diplomatic officer.

According to details of a March 2020 event at the JW Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, which hosted a launch event and investor appreciation evening for the Saixigang Industrial Park (the former name of Dongmei Zone), Mashitah and Shakor are the sole directors and shareholders of Grand Commerce Network, holding 85% and 15% stakes respectively, according to Companies Commission documents seen by Scoop.

Mashitah called herself an “iron lady” for the project, led by Hong Kong company Dongmei Investment Group Ltd, in a caption to her Facebook post about the event.

In other photos shared by Mashitah, she and her husband are pictured alongside convicted Macau mafia boss Wan Kuok-koi, also known as Broken Tooth, and former Malaysian fugitive Nicky Liow, who was charged in April 2022 with 26 counts of money laundering.

In February 2020, Mashitah posted a photo and video on Facebook of Shakor speaking at an event in Myanmar, the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Dongmei Zone, where armed militiamen provided security.

JFM considers the presence of armed militias, identified as Karen National Army soldiers, at the event as evidence of the militias’ involvement in the zone. – August 30, 2024

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