GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA - Police gunned down a leader of the infamous Deva Gang after a high-speed chase through the busy Jelutong Expressway here, yesterday.

The man had opened fire at them when they intercepted him. The 37-year-old suspect, described as dangerous and high on the police wanted list, was found slumped on the front passenger seat of a Perodua Myvi, believed stolen in Johor.

State police chief Datuk Ayub Yaakob said there was an exchange of about 12 shots between the policemen and suspect when the chase ended abruptly in Pengkalan Weld at 3.50pm.

"The team had tailed him from Bukit Jambul after a tip-off, but the suspect sensed he was being followed while driving on the Jelutong Expressway.

"As they reached Pengkalan Weld, the suspect suddenly opened fire at the police, forcing them to intercept his car and shoot back."

He added that police recovered a pistol with a bullet inside the chamber and five bullets inside another magazine from the car.

Some paraphernalia for consuming syabu and a police baseball cap were also found.

Police also retrieved a forged Singapore identity card from the dead man.

"Our investigations show that he was planning to kidnap someone here," Ayub said, adding that the suspect was trigger-happy, dangerous and owned at least three pistols.

Police were now looking for other firearms and also the suspect's remaining gang members.

"We believe his death has weakened the Deva Gang," Ayub said.

Yesterday's success in nailing the suspect was a joint-effort between the Bukit Aman police team and the state police, he said.

The body has been sent to Penang Hospital for a post-mortem.