A cook is staring at a lengthy prison term for attempting to mow down policemen with his car because his licence had expired, according to a news report.

The New Straits Times said the suspect also had his three-year-old son and girlfriend in his car during the 5km chase.

The incident happened about 11am in Ulu Tiram, Johor today.

Seri Alam police chief Jokhiri Abd Aziz was quoted as saying that two traffic policemen spotted the suspect using his mobile phone while driving and flagged him down.

The suspect initially stopped his car but later accelerated, causing a chase to ensue.

When the pursuit came to a row of shophouses in Lorong Bunga Raya, Pekan Ulu Tiram, the suspect tried to nudge into the motorcycle of his pursuers, and at one point, even tried to reverse into one of the machines.

This caused one of the policemen to jump off his machine and fire several shots at the suspect's car tyres.

The suspect tried driving forward, but soon crashed into a drain, said the report.

The suspect's son and 37-year-old girlfriend, as well as the policemen involved in the incident, were not injured.

The suspect later tested positive for drugs and it was found that he has previous records for theft and a drug offence.

Jokhiri also slammed netizens who circulated pictures of the aftermath of the chase, claiming it was an abduction case.

The suspect is now being probed for attempted murder, reckless and dangerous driving, as well as for drug-related offences.