Khalid said the former Askar Wataniah member was the Datuk’s bodyguard while a second suspect in custody was the Datuk’s driver.

Khalid said the driver fled on foot after the bodyguard opened fire from the back seat of the car.

“From our early investigations…he has mental problems. The bodyguard had a carry and use permit for the firearm,” the IGP said in Penang today, adding that he had no prior record for criminal offences.

Reports indicated that both suspects were today remanded to facilitate investigations.

The drama unfolded during heavy traffic on the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu expressway yesterday about 7.30pm when the bodyguard, said to be in his 40s, shot Datuk Ong Teik Kwang, 32, who was driving the BMW car.

He then went on a rampage, killing passers-by Senthil Murugiah, 38, and Choi Hon Ming, 32.

The injured were identified as Lee Hong Boon, 56, Nurul Huda Aziz, 38, Arivarni Krishnan, 33, Lim Boon Leng, 32 and RTM cameraman Mohamad Amirul Amin Mohamed Amir, 28.

Police believe the bodyguard got out of the car after shooting his boss, looking for the driver, but the stray shots hit the passers-by.