The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has revealed the names of the six slain policemen in an ambush by a group of armed men in Kampung Sri Jaya, Simunul, Semporna, Sabah on Saturday night.

PDRM, in its official Facebook named the six as Superintendent Ibrahim bin Lebar from Bukit Aman special branch, Assistant Superintendent of Police Micheal Padel from IPD Semporna special branch, Sergeant Baharin Hamit from IPK Sabah special branch, Sergeant Aziz Sarikun from BN 14 PGA Tawau, Corporal Salam Togiran from IPD Tawau and Lance Corporal Mohd Azrul Tukiran from BN 14 PGA Tawau.

The policemen had been ordered to carry out an investigation at the village following a tip-off that there was a group of armed men there.

They were shot while heading towards a house in the village and opened fire in self defence.

The police are in the midst of investigating whether the armed men were linked to the more than 150 armed intruders in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, about 150 kilometres from Semporna.