Ex-convict killed in shootout

Cops gun down armed man after 200km chase on highway

KUANTAN: An armed ex-convict hijacked two cars, including a police four-wheel-drive vehicle, in a desperate bid to escape before he was shot dead after a chase along the East Coast highway.

Chiang Hon Hing, 39, of Bandar Baru Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, was killed in a shootout with policemen, one of whom was shot in the hand.

Pahang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Sharifuddin Abdul Ghani said the suspect fired several shots at policemen who had been chasing him for a distance of over 200km.

Lance Corporal Mohd Jarizan Md Jid was shot on his right hand during the exchange of fire.

He has been warded at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital.

The drama unfolded at about 1.10am yesterday, when Chiang’s car was flagged down near the Lanchangtoll plaza nearmentakab by two policemen in a 4WD vehicle for a routine inspection.

DCP Sharifuddin said the suspect got out of his car, pulled a pistol from under his shirt and fired at the two policemen but missed.

He said the suspect then got into the 4WD and drove off. The policemen failed to stop the vehicle

As soon as he reached Km249.2, he realised that he was surrounded by police. — DEPUTY COMM DATUK SHARIFUDDIN ABDUL GHANI

despite shootingg at the tyrestyres.

“The police then immediately called for back-up. The suspect, meanwhile, hijacked another car along the highway after forcing the two men to get out of the vehicle at gunpoint.

“The suspect drove all the way to the Jabor toll plaza in Terengganu but made a detour back to Kuala Lumpur when he saw a road block. However, as soon as he reached Km249.2 of the highway, he realised that he was surrounded by the police.”

He said the suspect got out of the car and fired at the policemen, injuring Mohd Jarizan. The other policemen then returned fire and killed him on the spot.

DCP Sharifuddin said checks showed that the first vehicle driven by the suspect in Lanchang was reported stolen in Kuantan.

“He had four previous convictions and was on the wanted list for a murder in Taman Melawati.”