Malaysian authorities rescue more than 400 children from charity abuse scandal

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Another accusation has recently surfaced against Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim, a former Malaysian deputy minister, for involvement in the development of Dongmei Park, an alleged transnational crime hub, during her visit to Myanmar’s Karen State in 2020.

Malaysian police have confirmed that an investigation into the allegation is underway.

According to Malaysian media outlet The Star, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain confirmed that Dr Mashitah visited Myanmar at the time “for a property investment case in Myawaddy.”

“We have been able to check and confirm it. This is after we recorded her statement last week,” he said when contacted by The Star on September 3.

Comm Mohd Shuhaily added that the CID continues its investigation into allegations of human trafficking involving Malaysians in Myanmar.

“We have also recorded the statement of an individual with a Datuk Seri title in connection with the same case,” he said, noting that statements from five individuals, including Dr Mashitah, have been recorded.

The issue was first raised in May this year by a civil society group called Justice for Myanmar, which alleged that Malaysians played a major role in the Yatai New City and Dongmei Park projects. These projects are linked to the Karen Border Guard Force, an ally of the Myanmar junta and now renamed the Karen National Army.

According to JFM, Dr Mashitah and her husband, Datuk Abdul Shakor Abu Bakar, are said to have joined a group of prominent Malaysians to launch the Dongmei Park project, describing it as “a cyber scam park.”

Dr. Mashitah served as deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department from 2008 to 2013, while her husband, Abdul Shakor, is a former diplomat who was previously stationed in Egypt.

The issue came into focus again on August 28 when the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) called for an investigation into Dr Mashitah’s involvement with property developer Dongmei Group.

MHO cited a YouTube video from Indonesian investigative news platform Deduktif, which highlighted the issue of human trafficking in Myanmar.

Dr Mashitah refutes allegations, says 2020 trip to Myanmar was to attend events

However, on Tuesday, Dr Mashitah denied the allegations, claiming she only visited Myanmar to attend an event as a guest.

In an interview with media outlet Kosmo!, the former explained that she and her husband were invited to a foundation stone laying ceremony in Myanmar by their friend, Datuk Seri Leong Kee Huat.

She explained that it was an international event and that Leong had asked her husband to give a speech in English at the ceremony.

Dr Mashitah also denied claims that photos showing her with alleged gangsters are actually images of her with security personnel at the project site.

She noted that it is common in Myanmar to encounter armed security personnel due to the country’s military rule.

Dr. Mashitah stressed that she and her husband only knew Leong and that they did not do business with anyone else at the event.

She has since filed a report with the police and handed over her statement to the authorities.

Wan Kuok-koi, former leader of the 14K Triad, known as Broken Tooth, is a major investor in Dongmei Park

In addition, in a statement on August 29, Justice for Myanmar (JFM) welcomed the Malaysian authorities’ investigation into Dr. Mashitah and her husband.

“We urge the police to swiftly investigate Mashitah Ibrahim and Abdul Shakor, and all other Malaysian nationals involved in cyber fraud rings in Myanmar, and hold them accountable under the law.”

JFM highlighted that Dongmei Park, formerly known as Saixigang Industrial Park, is run by human trafficking and the workers are victims of forced criminality, torture and extortion.

Strict security measures, such as watchtowers and guards in military uniforms at the main entrance, prevent prisoners from escaping.

Despite Dr. Mashitah’s denial of the allegations, JFM pointed out that substantial evidence linking the couple to Dongmei Park can be found in previous posts on Mashitah Ibrahim’s own Facebook page. In one post, she called herself an “iron lady” for the project.

One of the major investors in Dongmei Park is Wan Kuok-koi, also known as Broken Tooth or Yin Gouju, a former leader of the 14K Triad, a major Chinese transnational criminal organization.

Wan Kuok-koi was sanctioned by the US in 2020.

Dongmei Group, which includes the Hong Kong-registered Dongmei Investment Group Company Limited, is also subject to US supervision.

The company has two Malaysian directors and shareholders: Abdul Shakor bin Abu Bakar (who has a similar name to Dr. Mashitah’s husband) and Yong Mun Hong.

On the social media platform X, JFM also shared a video of someone who appeared to be Abdul Shakor giving a speech in English during the laying of the foundation stone of Dongmei Park in 2020.

Wan Kuok-koi set up the Dongmei Park venture with well-connected Malaysians including Dato Dr Mashitah Ibrahim, her husband, Datuk Abdul Shakor bin Abu Bakar, Yong Mun Hong and Dato Sri Liong Kee Huat

Datuk Abdul Shakor bin Abu Bakar spoke at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the park 4/ photo.twitter.com/09ZEsSzwS4

— Justice for Myanmar (@JusticeMyanmar) June 20, 2024

JFM spokesperson Yadanar Maung urged Malaysia to demonstrate to the people of Myanmar and the region that the country will not tolerate its citizens’ involvement in human trafficking and cyber slavery.