Work disputes and intoxication cause of homicides among Myanmars - police

Debts, intoxication and disputes at the work place have been identified as the cause of homicides involving Myanmar nationals in Penang, said state police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi.

He said the findings were based on investigation into 18 murder cases reported from January up to Thursday.

"They squabble among themselves and the fights get serious leading to deaths," he told reporters after a gathering with 128 officers and members of the General Operations Force, here Friday.

He said up to today, 48 homicides had been recorded, of which 31 involved Myanmar nationals, and the rest Bangladeshis, Vietnamese, Indonesians and locals.

"A total of 10 cases were classified as 'unknown' but police believed they were Myanmars from the injuries sustained," he said.

In dismissing claims that Myanmar murder cases were due to religious conflict, Abdul Rahim said: "None of our investigations pointed to that direction. Do not speculate on religious issues."

He said a task force led by the Penang CID Chief, SAC Mazlan Kesah had been formed to deal with murder cases involving foreigners.