KUALA NERUS: Police have opened an investigation paper (IP) over allegations that former deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim was involved in a human-trafficking syndicate in Myanmar.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he is was confident that police will would act professionally, in the matter, and that he was is 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.

"Police will conduct their probe in accordance with the law.

"I do not wish to make raise any speculation, and so I am placing my full trust in the professionalism of the force." he said.

Saifuddin was speaking to reporters said this after attending a Program the "Menyemai Kasih Rakyat(MEKAR)" programme at Kampung Baru Pulau Redang here yesterday.

Prior to this, the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) had urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to probe into claims that a politician was linked to a human-trafficking syndicate in Myanmar.

MHO secretary-general Hishamuddin Hashim was quoted as saying that the allegation followed an Indonesian viral video on human-trafficking in Myanmar, which that claimed that a politician and her husband were involved in the syndicate.

Hashim claimed that the syndicate's modus operandi involved deceiving victims online by offering attractive job opportunities before forcing them to work as online gambling scammers.

Dr Mashitah, in a Facebook post on Aug 29, had denied the allegation, labelling it outrageous.

"I have made a police report and given my statement in 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 on against those who try to associate me with this falsehood to damage my reputation," she was quoted as saying.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2024/09/1099592/probe-politician-over-human-trafficking-will-follow-book