Another group involved in grisly Penang murders

GEORGE TOWN: Twelve Myanmar nationals detained over the past few weeks have allegedly confessed to their involvement in the spate of Mynamar national murders in Penang.

State police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said the dozen, out of a total of 20 arrested, admitted to nine killings following police interrogations.

He said the other eight have since been released but warned that police were still on the hunt for more suspects.

Abdul Rahim said police are also investigating another group of Myanmar nationals believed to be contract workers and labourers.

He said police believe this yet-to-be-named group was lying low on the island following increased media and police attention on the murder cases and vowed to apprehend them soon.

"We are confident of nabbing them soon," he said at a press conference after the monthly oath-taking ceremony at police headquarters today.

The state to date has recorded the murders of 18 Myanmar nationals, the latest on Dec 8, with their dismembered remains scattered throughout the state.

Authorities have blamed the grisly killings on revenge, dismissing speculation the murders were due to ethnic and religious unrest happening in Myanmar.

The state was also rocked by news the killers had murdered and dismembered their victims at a house in the quiet village of Kampung Pisang, Machang Bubuk, on the mainland.

A police operation on Dec 5 did not find anyone present but found blood stains and recovered three machetes.

Abdul Rahim said police were also on the hunt for Myanmar nationals Mohd Yahyar Khan Rafie 42, and his countryman Lokman, in his 20s, to assist in investigations into the killings.

He said the identity of a third suspect would be withheld for the time being pending further investigations.

"We are liaising with Wisma Putra, Bukit Aman, Interpol and the Immigration Department," he added.

At a press conference later, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng assured the people the state was still safe.

He expressed his confidence that police will get to the bottom of the matter as well as to keep the peace.

"There is nothing to worry about, the state is still safe," he said.