Police Investigate Former Deputy Minister in PM’s Dept Over Alleged Involvement in Human Trafficking Syndicate

Human trafficking is a major and complex societal issue in Myanmar, with people often trafficked into conditions of forced or bonded labour or commercial sexual exploitation. Recently, a former deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and her husband was accused of being allegedly involved in a human trafficking syndicate in Myanmar.

As reported by The Star, an Indonesian YouTube video clip went viral, allegedly exposing the syndicate and implying the involvement of Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim and her husband. The syndicate's modus operandi allegedly involved deceiving victims online by offering attractive job opportunities before forcing them to work as online gambling scammers.

The Malaysian Humanitarian Organisation then filed a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, calling for an investigation.

On her Facebook page, Mashitah strongly denied the allegations on 29 August and explained the matter. “I have made a police report and given my statement to Bukit Aman on the outrageous allegations made by the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) linking me to the activities.”

"I deny any involvement in those activities. I will not hesitate to take any legal action against those who try to associate me with this falsehood to damage my reputation," she stated.

On 2 September, she issued yet another explanation in a video:

Police investigations

According to NST, the police have opened an investigation paper (IP) over the allegations. Additionally, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he was confident that police would act professionally in the matter and that he was leaving it to them to investigate the matter.

"A complaint has been lodged, and the police have opened an IP. We will let the process start. (The) police will conduct their probe under the law. "I do not wish to raise any speculations, and so I am placing my full trust in the force's professionalism,” he said.

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