GEORGE TOWN – A man has gone to great lengths to meet a friend, attempting to swim across the Penang Strait from the Tg City Marina ferry jetty here to Seberang Prai.
The 28-year-old did so on Monday after failing to get police’s approval to cross district lines as it was determined that he had no reasonable grounds to undertake such travel.
Northeast district police chief Soffian Santong told the press last night that the man was forced to turn back due to fatigue, with Penang Port Sdn Bhd workers coming to his aid about 6pm.
“No identity documents were found on the man. He only gave his personal details, including his name and identity card number.
“Checks found that he is from Bayan Lepas and jobless.”
He said police were able to contact the man’s mother, who told officers that her son has not returned home for a long time, and is purportedly homeless and addicted to drugs.
The man is receiving treatment at Penang Hospital, and it was found that he has a broken right arm, he said.
“Further investigations will be carried out after the man has completed his treatment and is discharged.”
A photo and video went viral on social media yesterday, showing a man, believed to be swimming towards Seberang Prai, floating in the Penang Strait.
Many netizens expressed sympathy for him. – The Vibes, July 15, 2021
