Naked traffic incident in Penang prompts police response

POLICE have detained a man who was seen naked while directing traffic in the Lebuh Bukit Jambul area of Penang, in an incident that went viral after being recorded by motorists.

Northeast district deputy police chief Superintendent Lee Swee Sake said the incident occurred at about 10am on Thursday, adding that members of the public assisted police in locating the man, who is believed to be suffering from a mental health condition.

“The mental patient is now being treated at Penang Hospital,” he told journalists.

He added that an ambulance unit from the Malaysian Red Crescent Society had requested police assistance to escort them to Penang Hospital in case the man became agitated after being persuaded to accept treatment.

A 25-second video circulating online showed the man standing in the middle of the road while directing traffic, causing concern among road users before authorities intervened.

The incident has also reignited public attention on Malaysia’s growing mental health challenges.

Data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) shows a sharp rise in mental health conditions over the past decades, with prevalence among adults increasing from 10.7 per cent in 1996 to 29.2 per cent in 2015.

The survey found that nearly 29.2 per cent of adults aged 16 and above were experiencing mental health issues, a rate that health experts believe has likely increased further following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among younger groups, concerns are also significant. Reports indicate that one in 10 adolescents experience anxiety or depression, while one in six children aged between five and 15 face mental health challenges.

Studies have also found that up to 60 per cent of young people report mild to severe depressive symptoms, with around 10 per cent having experienced suicidal thoughts.

In 2023, the number of Malaysians aged 15 and above suffering from depression reportedly reached one million, doubling compared with 2019, underscoring growing concerns over access to mental health support and early intervention. - April 20, 2026