TUMPAT: Police have launched a manhunt for five people in connection with the gunning down of a wanted criminal in front of a workshop at Jalan Hutan Kuin, Machang, recently.
State police chief Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun, however, admitted that investigators are facing some level of difficulty, especially in ascertaining the registration plates of the car used in the attack, as there was no closed-circuit television camera in the area.
"We are still investigating the case, including trying to ascertain the motive behind the killing, and we are now searching for the five suspects.
"Our initial investigations showed that the victim had a criminal record with 12 entries for various criminal and drug-related offences. He was also in the police wanted list," he told reporters in Pengkalan Kubor.
Zaki said police would provide updates on the case from time to time.
He also urged those who have any information regarding the case to come forward and assist investigations by contacting the nearest police station.
The victim, said to have been a 38-year-old entrepreneur was shot dead in front of the workshop about 5.45pm on Sunday.
The killers were reported to be in a white Honda vehicle and fired several shots at close range at the victim, who had been in the driver's seat of a pickup truck.