GEORGE TOWN, Sept 19 — A growing number of Myanmar nationals in Penang are living in fear following the murder of 20 of their countrymen believed to be related to communal clashes between Muslims and Buddhists.

Zaw Latt, a Buddhist from the province of Mahoi, said he feared for his safety, especially at night.

The 28-year-old worker at a printing company at the Prai Industrial Estate  said: “My friends told me about the recent double-murder in Kampung Jawa, Bukit Mertajam. I am afraid to leave my hostel alone at night.”

He said he was praying for the safety of the several thousand Myanmar nationals living in Penang.

“I hope my government will do something to resolve the problem as no one should feel unsafe when they are in a foreign land,” he said.

Zong Dong Nguen, 38, who works in the same factory, said Myanmar nationals should leave their disputes and conflicts back home.

A cousin of one of the men who was killed said she and her husband did not attend his funeral because they feared for their safety.

Shahidah Saufi, 46, from Kampung Main Road, Prai, said her cousin, Miong Solui, a Buddhist in his 30s, was found murdered by his friend in July.

“My husband and I decided not to attend the funeral as we feared police would question us if we said we were related to him,” she said.

“I feel pity for his family in Myanmar as they depend on his income.”

Shahidah said her cousin had initially stayed with them when he arrived here several years ago.

She said her ancestors had been Buddhists three generations ago.

Her husband, Muhamad Ali, 48, said Shahidah wanted him to go to the funeral but they changed their minds because he feared there may be problems.

“It is silly to bring the conflict here and fight as we are all in Malaysia to earn a living. I do not see any logic to kill anyone in the name of religion,” he said.

Mohamad Jamil, 32, also from Kampung Main Road, said he arrived in Penang a few weeks ago and was aware of the problem brewing in the state.

“I have many Myanmar Buddhists friends and we have lived under the same roof in Selayang, Selangor, for many years and we never fought over anything. I think the problems back in our homeland should be left behind when we go abroad,” he said.

Malay Mail reported yesterday 20 Myanmar nationals had been murdered in Penang, most of them Buddhists.

Police said that in the latest case on Monday, two men in their 30s had their throats slit and their bodies dumped in an oil palm plantation in Kampung Manggis, Bukit Mertajam.

State deputy police chief Datuk A. Thaivegan had said police had set up a special task force to investigate the deaths.