Former deputy minister Mashitah denies involvement in Myanmar cyber scam ring, IGP says investigation ongoing

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 — Datuk Mashitah Ibrahim has denied any links to illegal activities in Myanmar after she was accused of involvement in the Dongmei Park cyber scam during a visit to Karen State in 2020.

In a brief statement on Facebook, the former Umno senator and deputy minister downplayed the allegations as based solely on media reports and said she had already filed a police report on the matter.

“It was pure coincidence that my friend invited me to take a picture at his project there,” she wrote on Facebook.

“I will not hesitate to take legal action against anyone who attempts to associate me with this smear campaign aimed at damaging my reputation.”

Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain also revealed that police have recorded statements of Mashitah and her husband.

According to state news agency Bernama, the couple’s statements were recorded in July, after the matter first came to light. Police are looking for more witnesses.

“We have conducted investigations and they are still ongoing. We will also obtain the articles published by the country concerned,” he reportedly said, referring to Myanmar.

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

According to the group, 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, which they describe as “a cyber scam park”.

The issue resurfaced after a Malaysian group called the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) yesterday called for an investigation into Mashitah’s involvement with property developer Dongmei Group.

Speaking before the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, MHO cited a YouTube video from Indonesian investigative news agency Derived about human trafficking in Myanmar.

Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation holds a press conference for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, August 28, 2024. — Photo courtesy of MHO

Justice for Myanmar responded today by saying it welcomes the police investigation.

“These transnational crime hubs have destroyed lives and funded a military militia in Myanmar that commits international crimes with impunity,” spokesman Yadanar Maung said in a statement.

“As chair of ASEAN next year, Malaysia should demonstrate to the people of Myanmar and the region that it will not tolerate its citizens’ involvement in human trafficking and cyber slavery.”

Malaysian Post asks Mashitah for further comment on the matter.