Police in Sarawak have ordered 4,000 Indonesians to remain at work after four people died in a spate of bloody ethnic clashes, a report said today.

Several workers have been arrested following fighting during Hari Raya holidays last week involving Indonesians of Madurese, Sambas and Javanese descent, the New Straits Times said.

The workers were ordered to stay at two factories near Miri until further notice to prevent tensions escalating, police spokesman Ambrose Chung was quoted as saying.

"The managements of these factories have been advised to ensure their workers do not leave the premises," Chung said.

More patrols

Police have also stepped up patrols around the factories after fighting between the ethnic groups. One Indonesian was killed during the Hari Raya gathering of more than 1,000 Indonesian workers, the newspaper said.

Another two were killed during a fight at a plywood factory Saturday while a fourth was killed after being attacked by a gang of more than 10 fellow Indonesians on Monday, the newspaper said.

Malaysia, is home to hundreds of thousands of foreign workers, mainly Indonesians, and riots at workplaces have in the past led to expulsions. - AFP