Police: 15 Myanmars under murder investigations hold UNHCR cards

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Fifteen out of 17 Myanmar men detained in the last two weeks to assist investigations into several murders and dismembering of their countrymen in Penang are United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) cardholders, said police.

Another two detained under "Ops Kelar" entered the country illegally through the Malaysia-Thai border and were said to have recently applied for the UNHCR card.

"Based on investigations, the 15 UNHCR cardholders have been residing in Malaysia for the past 10 to 14 years and among them were construction contractors employing their countrymen.

"Most of them are believed to have entered the country illegally before applying for the UNHCR card and after their situation had stabilised, they would bring their families over," Penang CID deputy chief ACP P.R. Gunarajan said Sunday.

The murder cases involving Myanmars came under the spotlight when another group of Myanmars involved started dismembering bodies of their victims and dumping the remains at several places in Nibong Tebal and Bukit Mertajam, including near the Machang Bubok police station, here.

Since the beginning of the year, 18 murders of Myanmar nationals were reported in Penang.

Initially, the bodies were wrapped up with white cloth and left by the roadside, but since last month, the group involved began dismembering bodies of their victims.

On Friday morning, police raided a house in Kampung Pisang, Machang Bubuk, believed to be where the group had carried out the gruesome tasks.

Meanwhile, sources said the group of 17 Myanmars detained had set up a gang with strong family ties.

He said members of the gang were located all over Malaysia, but had their stronghold in Selayang and helped each other in times of trouble.

He said conflict or revenge with origins in their home country was the main motive for the murders of Myanmar nationals in Penang.

It is learnt that there are currently about 20,000 UNHCR card holders living in Penang with many of them operating petty business or working as contract labourers, factory workers and security guards. - Bernama