KUALA LUMPUR: Abu Paliyak, the gunman killed in a shootout with security forces in Sabah waters yesterday, was high on police's wanted list.
Paliyak, 31, who also carried the name Komander Paliyak @ Yusof was wanted for his involvement in several robberies at sea and kidnapping, including two abduction cases involving fish farm breeders in the Sabah east coast three years ago.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the man's death reflected police's ongoing operation to weed out kidnap-for-ransom groups and Abu Sayyaf presence in Sabah.
"Police are always on the lookout (for the people on the list). We have a list but we do not have confirmation whether they are still alive or not. There are still several people being monitored by us," he said.
Paliyak was believed to have been reconnoitring an area for kidnapping when security forces came across him at 3am while patrolling the Silam waters near Pulau Kantung Kalungan.
The shootout lasted several minutes before police managed to approach the boat. Paliyak was found dead with a gunshot wound. Police also seized a modified pump gun and bullets.
Meanwhile, Fuzi said there has been no update yet on investigations into a personal data leak involving 46.2 million mobile phone subscribers in Malaysia.
"We have yet to identify the owner of the email address even with the help of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)," he said.
Asked if the police would seek Interpol's help on the case, Fuzi said he would request for assistance if necessary.
Early last month, the Lowyat.net forum reported that someone was trying to sell the personal data of almost 50 million people from telecommunication companies and 17 million from job search websites.
Fuzi had previously said police have identified three Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in Oman, the Netherlands and Hong Kong. Investigators are now looking for the owner of an email address, who is believed can shed light onto the case.