Justice For Myanmar welcomes the launch of Malaysian police and anti-corruption commission investigations into the involvement of former deputy minister Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim and her husband, Datuk Abdul Shakor bin Abu Bakar, in a cyber scam hub in Karen State.

At a press conference today, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that investigations into the involvement of a former deputy minister and her husband in organised crime activities in Myanmar was ongoing and that statements were taken from the couple in July. He also announced that the police are looking for witnesses.

Mashitah Ibrahim has publicly confirmed that she gave a statement to police on the matter.

A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation has also been launched against Mashitah Ibrahim following a civil society complaint filed this week.

The investigations come after a Justice For Myanmar report in May that revealed the role of prominent Malaysians in Dongmei Park with the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF)/Karen National Army, a militia allied with the Myanmar military. The report named Mashitah Ibrahim, Abdul Shakor and others.

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.

We urge MACC to conduct a full and transparent investigation and inform the public about its outcomes.

The Dongmei transnational crime hub, formerly named Saixigang Industrial Park, is run with trafficked labour who have been subjected to forced criminality, torture and extortion. Tight security prevents captives from escaping, with watchtowers and guards in military uniform and rifles stationed at the main gate.

Mashitah Ibrahim responded to reports in a Facebook post today that includes an image of her and Abdul Shakor at the anti-trafficking and migrant smuggling division of the Malaysian police: “It was purely coincidental that my friend invited me to take a photo at his project there … I will not hesitate to take legal action against anyone trying to associate me with this slander aimed at damaging my reputation.” However, much of the evidence linking the couple to Dongmei Park is detailed in past posts on Mashitah Ibrahim’s own Facebook page. In one post she referred to herself as an “iron lady” for the project.

Dongmei Park’s investors

One of the main investors in Dongmei Park is Wan Kuok-koi (also known as Broken Tooth, Yin Gouju), a former leader of the 14K Triad, a major Chinese transnational criminal organisation. Wan Kuok-koi was sanctioned by the USA in 2020.

Dongmei Group has a registered company in Hong Kong, Dongmei Investment Group Company Limited, which is also sanctioned by the USA. The company has two Malaysian directors and shareholders: Abdul Shakor bin Abu Bakar and Yong Mun Hong.

Numerous posts on Mashibah Ibrahim’s Facebook page provide evidence of her and Abdul Shakor’s involvement in Dongmei Park.

As Justice For Myanmar detailed in May, Mashitah Ibrahim and Abdul Shakor travelled to Thailand and Myanmar on January 29, 2020 with some of their associates. One photo shows Mashitah Ibrahim in what appears to be Dongmei Park’s construction site, accompanied by Karen BGF troops.

They returned to Thailand and Myanmar the following month, with Mashitah Ibrahim posting on February 23 from Bangkok Airport that she was traveling with a group of 20 “taikos”, a Cantonese term for big brother or boss. One of the bosses was Wan Kuok-koi.

The next day, Mashitah Ibrahim posted from the foundation-laying ceremony at the project site in Myawaddy township where Abdul Shakor gave a speech.

Photos and video of the foundation-laying ceremony show well-armed Karen BGF soldiers standing across the stage during the proceedings and in the background providing security, further evidence of the militia group’s involvement in the park.

On March 15, 2020, a launch event and “investor appreciation night” for the park was held at the Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. A charitable donation was made to “youth club activities”, with photos showing a giant CIMB Bank cheque issued by Dongmei Group and Grand Commerce Network, a company owned by Mashitah Ibrahim and Abdul Shakor.

Malaysian citizens are also involved in Yatai New City in Shwe Kokko, a development that profits from cyber scam and illegal online gambling operations in partnership with the Karen BGF/KNA. Two Malaysians serve as directors and shareholders of Myanmar Yatai International Holding Group Company Limited, the developer of Yatai New City.

Justice For Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung says: “We welcome the Malaysian police and MACC investigations into the role of prominent Malaysians in the notorious Dongmei cyber 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. The project profits from human trafficking and cyber slavery with the involvement of the Karen BGF/KNA, a criminal militia responsible for the commission of war crimes.

“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 cyber slavery.

“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.”

More information:

Read our investigation into the Karen Border Guard Force/Karen National Army here

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