July 26, 2024

Justice For Myanmar (JFM) has revealed that Malaysian nationals play significant roles in the Yatai City project, owned by the Border Guard Force (BGF). This announcement follows a previous report that linked a former Malaysian Deputy Minister to online scam operations in Myawaddy, issued four days ago.

Myanmar Yatai International Holding Group Company Limited (Myanmar Yatai) is a joint venture developing the Yatai City in Shwe Kokko, Myawaddy Township. This project has become infamous for housing international crime syndicates, online scam operations, and casinos. Myanmar Yatai was established in February 2017 through a collaboration between the BGF and Shi Zhi Jiang.

Shi Zhi Jiang, a Chinese businessman with Cambodian citizenship, was under UK sanctions at the time of the joint venture’s formation. In 2022, he was arrested in Thailand under an international warrant for operating illegal gambling businesses and other criminal activities in China. Besides Shi Zhi Jiang and BGF representative Saw Min Min Oo, two Malaysian directors and shareholders are involved in the Myanmar Yatai Company.

The two Malaysians, Lim Jun Jie and Chow Tian Yu, reside in Sarawak and are registered at the high-end DC Residensi Condominium in Kuala Lumpur. The Yatai Company has benefited from investments and support for cyber-fraud operations and illegal online gambling activities in Shwe Kokko.

Reports have surfaced over the years of mass human trafficking, with thousands of people detained in large compounds in Myawaddy Township, forced into online scam operations. Survivors have reported being beaten, extorted, and coerced into these activities. Many women coerced into scam operations have also been forced into sex work.

Justice For Myanmar has urged the Malaysian government to take action against its nationals involved in these illegal syndicates and scam operations. The call for action was made in their July 26 report.