Four members of a family were shot dead at a chicken processing factory in Batu Maung in the southwest district of Penang early today.

The victims have been identified as Tan Hock Choon, 50, his common law wife Tan Saw Sim, 55, and her son Chung Wah Tong aged between 27 and 30, and his two-year-old son named Ah Bee.

Penang Criminal Investigation Department chief Razaruddin Hussain said the incident took place at 2.55am.

"The victims were shot with a semi-automatic pistol believed to have been obtained illegally," Razaruddin told reporters in Bayan Lepas, adding that police also found bullet casings at the scene.

He said that based on initial investigations, the act was committed by a close relative who escaped in a Toyota Hilux belonging to the factory operated by Hock Choon and Wah Tong.

It is understood that the victims were having problems with the suspect and they were often heard quarrelling, allegedly over money.

"Police are tracking down a man in his 30s and a Toyota Hilux with the registration number, PLJ 7392," Razaruddin said.

- Bernama