SEMPORNA – An illegal immigrant actively involved in housebreaking and theft was shot dead by police at a stilt house in Kg Panji Laut here on Friday.
The male suspect – known as Jamalsalih Kaldo, 40, from the Philippines, believed to be involved in nine burglary and theft cases here, involving a total loss of about RM80,000 – was shot during a raid at 9.30pm, after he allegedly attacked police with a 70cm-long machete.
Semporna police chief Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah at a press conference today said the incident occurred when a Criminal Investigation Division team entered a room in the house and the suspect suddenly leaped out brandishing a machete at them.
“Police fired four shots at the suspect, who acted aggressively. The first shot hit his right thigh, the second hit the middle of the abdomen, and the third and fourth hit the right and left sides of his chest, before he fell onto the floor.
“At the time, the suspect also tried to reach for a ‘flying feather’ (dart-like traditional street weapon) measuring 13.5cm, but it was seized by police. He was then taken to Semporna Hospital’s emergency ward before being confirmed dead at 12.40am.”
Farhan said the suspect, who was also a drug addict and had four past records, was believed to be operating solo, and used a machete when breaking into houses to steal items such as cash and gold. – Bernama, May 2, 2021