Mat Malaya believed to be in Tawau

KOTA KINABALU - Sabah police have intensified their search for Mat Malaya in the east coast Ta­­wau district after someone thought he had seen a man resembling him in the area three days ago.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said the man fled when policemen approached him.

If he had not done anything wrong, there was no reason for him to run away, he said after witnessing the passing out parade for auxiliary constables at the state police headquarters yesterday.

He said police were not sure if the man was Mat Malaya.

“We have mounted an operation to track him down in Tawau. It is ongoing,” said Jalaluddin.

Mat Malaya, whose real name is Mohd Jusnaidi Omar, 43, is wanted for the shooting of a mechanic at an air-conditioning repair shop in Likas here on May 10.

It was reported that Mat Malaya, who was staring at the mechanic, became angry and started shooting when the victim questioned him.

The mechanic was injured in the incident.

Kota Kinabalu police chief Asst Comm M. Chandra said police had informed the Immigration Depart­ment about the case and they were monitoring major exit points in the state.

Mat Malaya is said to be armed and dangerous, and would not hesitate to shoot anyone.

He was charged with a drug trafficking offence in 2007.

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