A former elite Malaysian policeman was shot and killed after robbing a petrol station and attempting to flee with RM50,000 (US$13,700 dollars) in cash, reports said Friday.

The New Straits Times said that Stephen Yau, a one-time member of the elite Special Action Squad, was identified as the culprit in Wednesday's robbery in the capital, during which he was shot twice and died soon after.

Police who attended the scene recognised his body and his identity was confirmed by fingerprinting, it said.

Yau had saved numerous lives while on the elite squad, and was given several recommendation letters before quitting in 1994, but turned to crime to fund his taste for expensive cars and high living, the daily reported.