KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian police have cleared former Deputy Minister Dr. Mashitah Ibrahim and her husband of involvement in human trafficking activities in Myanmar. Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain announced on September 7 that investigations have found no evidence linking Dr. Mashitah to a human trafficking syndicate.
Razarudin stated that an analysis of various bank accounts belonging to Dr. Mashitah and others revealed that the funds were personal savings rather than proceeds from illicit activities. The former deputy minister and her husband, along with three others, had traveled to Myanmar for real estate investment purposes, not for human trafficking, according to the police.
“We have recorded the statements of 11 individuals during this investigation,” Razarudin said. “So far, there is no solid evidence connecting them to a human trafficking syndicate.”
The current focus of the investigation is on a Datuk Seri, a high-ranking individual, who is suspected of playing a key role in attracting investors to Myanmar. Authorities are also examining the links between this individual and several others, including two Chinese businessmen.
Dr. Mashitah has denied any connections to human trafficking and has maintained that her involvement in Myanmar was solely related to real estate investments. The investigation has also involved scrutiny of financial statuses and reports from Bank Negara Malaysia and the Registrar of Societies, but no evidence of human trafficking has been found.