Penang deputy police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin said the businessman, who is in his 40s, had four previous criminal records.

He said investigation found the man had previously been a gangster but was no longer involved in gang crime.

“We do not reject the possibility that the victim knows the two men who fired at him, despite his denial,” Bernama reported Alwi as saying.

It was reported that the man had narrowly escaped death about 5.40pm when shots were fired at his four-wheel-drive vehicle by unidentified assailants.

Alwi said Penang police were setting up a special team to investigate the case and find the two assailants.

He said the victim had lowered his driver’s seat partially while waiting for his son to finish school at the time of the incident.

“The man said he saw the two men on a motorcycle heading directly for him and immediately lowered his seat to a reclining position, avoiding being hit by the shots fired,” Alwi said.

The case is being investigated under Section 3 of the Firearms Act (Increased Penalties) 1971 for discharging a firearm in the commission of a scheduled offence, and Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder.