Ex-deputy minister, husband not involved in human trafficking ring - IGP

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said today that investigations have found that former deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mashitah Ibrahim and her husband are not involved in a Myanmar-based human trafficking network.

Razarudin said police checks revealed that overseas investments by several individuals, including Mashitah, were not connected to a human trafficking syndicate.

“This is based on an analysis of several bank accounts that revealed the funds in them were savings of the individuals involved.

“We also confirmed previously that the former deputy minister, her husband, and three others went to Myanmar for real-estate investment matters,” The Star quoted him as saying.

Overall, Razarudin said police have recorded statements from 11 individuals and there has been no solid evidence to support allegations against Mashitah and her husband.

“Our investigation now is focused on a ‘Datuk Seri’, who is suspected to be a key figure in attracting potential investors to Myanmar.

“We are also investigating the connections between several individuals, including two businesspersons from China,” he said.

Counter report

It was reported that the police, as part of the human trafficking case investigation, are analysing the financial status of several companies, including several documents that named Mashitah and her husband.

Razarudin previously said police had recorded the couple's statement in July.

Mashitah has also denied the allegations against her and lodged a counter-police report against parties, including the Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO).

Other than a police probe, the MHO had lodged an MACC report against Mashitah and her husband.

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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