Myanmar NGO welcomes probe into human trafficking network

A Myanmar-based organisation involved in exposing an alleged human trafficking ring that implicated a former Malaysian deputy minister has welcomed reports of investigations launched by local authorities here.

Justice for Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung in a statement to Malaysiakini said apart from former deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mashitah Ibrahim, who has since denied the claim, other Malaysians were also allegedly implicated in the case.

”We welcome the Malaysian police and MACC investigations.

“Malaysian authorities should swiftly investigate the involvement of Mashitah Ibrahim and other Malaysians in the Dongmei cyber scam park, as well as Yatai New City, and ensure full accountability,” said Yadanar.

“These transnational crime hubs have destroyed lives and fund a Myanmar military militia that commits international crimes with impunity,” claimed the group.

Earlier today, Mashitah said she had lodged a police report regarding the “baseless” claims against her and confirmed being questioned by Bukit Aman.

Previously, Harian Metro reported that MHO urged the MACC to investigate a politician who was allegedly involved in a human trafficking ring in Myanmar.

While the article did not name Mashitah, it mentioned that the politician and her husband, a retired civil servant, were said to have been involved with the syndicate since March 2020.

MHO secretary-general Hishamuddin Hashim also claimed that the politician and her husband chaired a security board involved in criminal activities in Myanmar.

Politician, husband quizzed in July

Separately, Bernama quoted Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain as saying that authorities are looking for witnesses to assist in an investigation into the alleged involvement of a politician and her spouse in a human trafficking syndicate in Myanmar.

”The police also took statements from a politician and her husband, who are [purportedly] linked to this syndicate, in July,” Razarudin reportedly said at a press conference after the handover of duties of the Kelantan police chief, at the state contingent police headquarters today.

Commenting further, Yadanar said, “As next year’s 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 cyber slavery.”

The MHO’s call for an investigation followed the airing of a clip from an Indonesian YouTube documentary titled “Neraka Perbatasan: Jejak Mafia Judi Online dan Perbudakan Digital di Asia”, which included a picture of Mashitah with a group of individuals allegedly connected to the scheme.

The documentary was aired a month ago, garnering nearly 90,000 views.

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