KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — Preliminary police investigations into the murder of former Alor Limbat assemblyman Alias Abdullah found that the slaying was likely not politically motivated.

Terengganu police chief Datuk Rosli Abdul Rahman said that investigations instead pointed to his financial debts as the possible motive.

“From the information we have gathered, including from 10 witnesses, family members and Alias’s close friends, we believe that the murder was linked to (his) debts,” English daily New Straits Times quoted Rosli.

“There appears to be no link to politics,” he added.

“However, we are investigating the case from all angles, including his businesses, personal life and the legal cases he had handled.”

Alias, a practising lawyer, was killed after he was shot in the face outside his house near Marang, Terengganu on Friday.

Exactly two months prior, his cousin Mat Jusoh Ali, 56 was also killed in a similar manner in Kampung Padang Midin, Kuala Terengganu.

“Alias had taken over Zaki’s role as the village welfare and security committee chairman. Both were, coincidentally, shot once with a revolver and to the head,” Rosli was further quoted by the daily.

“The modus operandi suggests that Alias’s murder was done by someone who is highly professional in handling firearms, as the killer knew exactly where to shoot with deadly effect.”

Alias had been a two-term assemblyman for Alor Limbat constituency from 2004 to 2013.

He had also been the Umno Marang division secretary before from 2004 to 2008.