SEREMBAN, May 23 — Federal police gunned down two men, believed to be remnants of the notorious gang of robbers dubbed the ‘Mamak Gang’ which has been active since 2015, in a shootout in Rembau early yesterday.

Their two accomplices managed to give police the slip and escaped into the nearby bushes off Jalan Chengkau-Pilin in the 12.30am incident.

The dead men, aged 33 and 35, were linked to a spate of armed robberies and had three criminal records each for drug-related offences, said Negri Sembilan police chief, DCP Datuk Noor Azam Jamaludin.

He said the discovery of a semi-automatic Norinco .357 pistol loaded with five bullets, two machetes, an axe, cap bearing the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) logo, a vest bearing the RMP logo and a Royal Malaysian Customs badge in a grey Honda Accord nearby, indicated the deceased were remnants of the now-defunct ‘Mamak Gang’.

He said the Serious Crimes Division (D9) of Bukit Aman’s CID was engaged in the shootout with the two criminals who were armed with a revolver and machete.

"They were suspected to have been involved in (armed) robberies (and preyed on) victims who were leaving banks (after their transaction). This (Mamak) gang has been active since 2015,” he told a press conference here today.

Also present was state CID chief, ACP Wan Rukman Wan Hassan.

Noor Azam said prior to the 12.30am incident, the Bukit Aman police team spotted four men in the car in Jalan Seremban-Tampin.

He said the police attempted to stop the car but the vehicle sped off and a four-kilometre chase ensued.

"We intercepted the car, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Subsequently, the car skidded and crashed into a signboard.

"(At that juncture) One of the suspects opened fire, resulting in a shootout with the police. Two other suspects managed to escape into some bushes,” he added. — Bernama