KUALA LUMPUR – Justice for Myanmar (JFM), a Burmese human rights organisation which alleged the involvement of a Malaysian ex-deputy religious minister with a Myawaddy-based scam centre, has yet to be contacted by police here.
JFM said that while Malaysian police have yet to reach out, it is committed to assisting investigations into Umno politician Datuk Mashitah Ibrahim and her husband Datuk Abdul Shakor Abu Bakar.
“Malaysian police have not contacted us. We are ready to aid the investigations with information and documentation,” JFM spokesperson Yadanar Maung said in a statement to Scoop.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that police are trying to secure an article published by the Myanmar quarters to aid its investigation into accusations linking a former deputy minister and her husband to organised crime activities based in Myanmar.
It is believed that the nation’s top cop was referring to a May report by JFM, which detailed the supposed roles played by Malaysian figures – including Mashitah and Shakor – in a scam park known as Dongmei Zone.
Meanwhile, Yadanar also said JFM welcomes probes by local police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into Mashitah’s involvement in the “notorious” Dongmei scam park.
“Malaysian authorities should swiftly investigate all Malaysian citizens engaged in transnational crime in Myanmar and ensure full accountability.
“Dongmei Park’s business model is human suffering and the destruction of lives, profiting from human trafficking and cyber slavery,” she added.
She also said that as the next Asean chair, Malaysia should show the people of Myanmar and the region that it will not tolerate the involvement of its citizens in human trafficking and cyberslavery.
“Malaysia needs to take a clear stand against business with the military junta and its militias, refuse to lend legitimacy to the junta and reject its sham election.”
In a press statement on its website last night, JFM said it took note of Razarudin’s statements and welcomed Malaysia’s investigation by police and the MACC into Mashitah and Shakor’s alleged involvement in Dongmei Zone.
The public must be informed about the investigation outcomes, JFM added.
The Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), which had filed a report with the MACC on Wednesday, is also urging an investigation into the same matter.
While the non-governmental organisation had declined to reveal to the press the names of Malaysian figures mentioned in their report to MACC, Mashitah had lodged a police report yesterday against those linking her with Myanmar’s underworld.
Specifically criticising MHO, she said she “adheres to Islamic teachings” and denied involvement in any activities against religious principles or Malaysian law.
Previously, Scoop reported on Malaysia’s apparent ties with Dongmei Zone, a heavily guarded site said to be rife with criminal activities, illicit drugs, and brothels allegedly linked with prominent Malaysian figures as investors.
It is believed that Malaysia’s involvement in the project may be through Grand Commerce Network Sdn Bhd, a decade-old company jointly owned by Mashitah and Shakor – a former diplomatic officer.
According to details surrounding a March 2020 event at the JW Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, which hosted a launch event and investor appreciation night for the Saixigang Industrial Park – Dongmei Zone’s former name – Mashitah and Shakor are the sole directors and shareholders of Grand Commerce Network, with an 85% and 15% stake respectively, as revealed by Companies Commission documents sighted by Scoop.
Mashitah had labelled herself as an “iron lady” for the project, spearheaded by Hong Kong company Dongmei Investment Group Ltd, in a caption for her Facebook post of the event.
Other photos shared by Mashitah show her and her husband standing alongside convicted Macau mob boss Wan Kuok-koi, also known as Broken Tooth, as well as former Malaysian fugitive Nicky Liow, who was charged with 26 counts of money laundering in April 2022.
Another Facebook post by Mashitah in February 2020 included a picture and video of Shakor delivering a speech at an event in Myanmar, understood to be the foundation-laying ceremony for Dongmei Zone, where armed militia members provided security.
JFM considers the presence of armed militia, identified as Karen National Army soldiers, at the event as evidence of the militia’s involvement in the zone. – August 30, 2024
