A businessman, who was recently stripped of his honorary title of "Datuk" for misconduct, has been gunned down mafia style at a restaurant, reports said today.

Two gunmen shot Tan Hock Low, 38, four times while he was dining late yesterday at a well-known restaurant in the centre of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and died on arrival at hospital, The Star quoted police as saying.

His bodyguard was also shot and critically wounded but two other friends managed to escape, police said, adding that the two gunmen fled through a side exit.

Tan, who was involved in the transportation, mining and sand businesses, was awarded the "Datuk" title in 1999 but it was revoked in November for "improper conduct not befitting the title," the daily said.

The title is awarded by state and national royalty for services to the community.

No details were given of Tan's alleged misconduct. — AFP