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M’sia ex-deputy minister accused of ties to alleged cyber scam hub in Myanmar

An allegation has resurfaced against Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim, a former Malaysian deputy minister, accusing her of involvement in the development of Dongmei Park, an alleged cyber scam and human trafficking hub, during her 2020 visit to Myawaddy, Myanmar. Malaysian police are investigating the claim and have confirmed that her trip was for real estate purposes. Dr Mashitah denies the allegations, asserting that she was in Myanmar as a guest. Notably, Wan Kuok-koi, a former leader of the 14K Triad, is a major investor in Dongmei Park.

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: An allegation against Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim, a former Malaysian deputy minister, recently resurfaced, accusing her of involvement in the development of Dongmei Park, an alleged transnational crime hub, during her visit to Karen State, Myanmar, in 2020.

The 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 that time “for a real estate investment matter in Myawaddy.”

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

Comm Mohd Shuhaily added that the CID is continuing 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 relation to the same case,” he said, noting that statements have been taken from five individuals, including Dr Mashitah.

The issue was first raised in May this year by a civil society group called Justice for Myanmar, which alleged that Malaysians played a significant role in the Yatai New City and Dongmei Park projects, linked to the Myanmar junta-allied Karen Border Guard Force, now rebranded as the Karen National Army.

According to JFM, Dr Mashitah and her husband, Datuk Abdul Shakor Abu Bakar, allegedly joined a contingent of prominent Malaysians to launch the Dongmei Park project, which it described 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 matter gained renewed attention when the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) called for an investigation into Dr Mashitah’s involvement with the developer Dongmei Group on 28 August.

MHO cited a YouTube video by the Indonesian investigative news outlet Deduktif, which highlighted issues of human trafficking in Myanmar.

Dr Mashitah Refutes Allegations, Says 2020 Myanmar Trip Was for Event Attendance

However, on Tuesday, Dr Mashitah denied the allegations, asserting that her visit to Myanmar was solely for attending an event as a guest.

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

She clarified that it was an international event and that Leong had asked her husband to deliver an English speech at the ceremony.

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

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

Dr Mashitah emphasized that she and her husband only knew Leong and had no business dealings with anyone else at the event.

She has since filed a police report and provided her statement to the authorities.

Wan Kuok-koi, Former 14K Triad Leader Known as Broken Tooth, Is a Principal Investor in Dongmei Park

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

“We urge the police to conduct a swift investigation into Mashitah Ibrahim and Abdul Shakor, as well as all other Malaysian nationals involved in cyber scam parks in Myanmar, and to hold them accountable under the law. ”

JFM highlighted that Dongmei Park, formerly known as Saixigang Industrial Park, is operated with trafficked labor subjected to forced criminality, torture, and extortion.

Tight security measures, including watchtowers and guards in military uniforms stationed at the main gate, prevent captives 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 past posts on Mashitah Ibrahim’s own Facebook page. In one post, she referred to herself as an “iron lady” for the project.

One of the principal 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 USA in 2020.

Dongmei Group, which includes the Hong Kong-registered Dongmei Investment Group Company Limited, is also sanctioned by the USA.

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

On social media platform X, JFM also shared a video of a person resembling Abdul Shakor delivering a speech in English during the 2020 Dongmei Park groundbreaking ceremony.

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

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Crime

DSTA programme manager charged with leaking confidential project information

A DSTA programme manager has been charged with leaking confidential project information, including a S$3 million budget, to another individual. Both men face charges under the Official Secrets Act and could face imprisonment and fines if convicted.

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3 days ago

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13 September 2024

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A programme manager at the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) in Singapore was charged on Friday (13 September) with leaking sensitive project information to another individual, including details of a S$3 million (US$2.3 million) budget for a renovation project.

Hsu Yee Chern, a 52-year-old Singaporean, faces four counts under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) for allegedly communicating confidential information obtained through his role at DSTA to Tan Kian Meng, a 46-year-old project manager.

Tan, who worked for a company involved in business with DSTA, was similarly charged with four counts for receiving this classified information between December 2018 and May 2019.

DSTA, the central procurement agency for the Ministry of Defence and the Singapore Armed Forces, oversees various high-value projects. According to charge sheets, Hsu shared confidential details on multiple projects, including tender results and financial evaluations.

According to media reports, Hsu allegedly informed Tan on 3 December 2018 that three companies had failed in their bids for a project to renovate toilets in four blocks along Clementi Loop.

On 12 March 2019, Hsu disclosed to Tan that DSTA’s budget for a power upgrading and renovation project at Stagmont Road was S$3 million. The following month, on 5 April 2019, Hsu provided Tan with confidential findings on a company’s tender price and cable size for the Stagmont Road project.

Additionally, on 3 May 2019, Hsu allegedly shared with Tan information about a construction company’s poor financial health in relation to its bid for addition and alteration works on four blocks at Sungei Gedong Road.

The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) confirmed the details of these charges in a statement. Both men are currently out on S$10,000 bail, with Tan’s next court appearance scheduled for 20 September, while Hsu is due to return on 11 October.

If convicted under the OSA, they could face imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of up to S$2,000, or both.

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Crime

Malaysian authorities rescue over 400 children in charity home abuse scandal

A shocking scandal has rocked Malaysia as authorities uncovered a horrifying network of child abuse. More than 400 children were rescued from facilities run by a prominent business group accused of exploiting and abusing the young victims. Police believe religious sentiments were used to gather donations while the children were subjected to horrific physical and sexual abuse. The business group is under investigation for child sexual offenses and human trafficking.

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3 days ago

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13 September 2024

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Malaysian authorities have rescued more than 400 children from charity homes suspected of sexual and physical abuse, run by a prominent business group, Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB).

In coordinated raids across two states, 402 children were saved, and 171 adults, including religious teachers and caretakers, were arrested, according to Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain.

The raids were carried out on Wednesday (11 Sept) on 20 premises following reports of severe neglect, abuse, sexual harassment, and molestation.

The children rescued included 201 boys and 201 girls, all aged between one and 17.

GISB, which operates in multiple countries, denied responsibility for managing the homes.

However, police believe the business group exploited the children and used religious sentiments to collect donations.

Razarudin revealed that the children, mainly sons and daughters of Malaysian GISB employees, had been sent to these homes shortly after birth.

Disturbingly, the children were subjected to multiple forms of abuse, including sexual exploitation by adult guardians, who then instructed the children to abuse others.

Some children were denied medical attention until their conditions became critical, and caretakers inflicted further harm, burning children with hot spoons and inappropriately touching them under the guise of medical examinations.

The authorities are investigating the case under laws covering sexual offences against children and human trafficking.

Two of the raided premises were registered as Islamic schools, which had previously been monitored by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS).

Though no violations had been identified during a July inspection, JAIS is expanding its investigation into GISB’s operations.

GISB has been linked to the now-banned Al-Arqam religious sect, which the Malaysian government outlawed in 1994.

The company has since stated that it is cooperating with authorities and emphasised that its policies align with both Islamic principles and national laws.

As reported by media outlet Free Malaysia Today, GISB issued a statement following the police raid, refuting police accusation as “serious and malicious.”

“We deny these allegations and stress that the company will not compromise with any activity that goes against the law, particularly regarding the exploitation of children as workers.”

In response to the situation, Robert Gass, a representative of UNICEF Malaysia, expressed shock and outrage, calling for urgent medical and psychological support for the rescued children.

“Children in institutional care need the support of qualified social workers who can monitor welfare homes effectively. UNICEF stands ready to support the Government in protecting children deprived of parental care and preventing unnecessary family-child separation. ”

“It is time to adopt a zero-tolerance stance towards violence against children in all its forms. Every child has the right to grow up in a supportive family environment,” Mr Gass added.

The rescued children are currently being housed at a police training center in Kuala Lumpur, where they will receive medical checks and temporary shelter.

The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the abuse and ensure justice for the victims.

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