Yet another suicide near Penang Bridge amid growing mental health woes

GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) this morning received a distress call from a local fisherman who spotted a man’s dead body floating near a rocky pile cap extension of the first Penang bridge.

Its director Abd Razak Mohamed said in a statement on Facebook that they received the call through the Maritime Rescue Sub-Center Langkawi.

It is believed that the deceased jumped off the bridge, though no information of when it happened was reported.

An MMEA patrol boat and another from the marine police’s companion agency took off to the scene after the report was made.

Due to the location of the body, the patrol boat could not approach the site and the marine police boat retrieved the body, which was then taken to the Batu Uban police force jetty.

The victim’s full information has not been obtained although officials believe a Kawasaki Z1000 motorcycle, with registration number WTJ 4481 found on the bridge heading towards Seberang Prai, may have belonged to them.

The case has been handed over to the Prai police station investigating officer for further action.

The public is requested to report any emergencies or accidents at sea at the 24-hour MERS 999 emergency line or the Penang Maritime Operations Center at 04-2626146.

Just last week, a 38-second video clip showed a few motorists stopping after spotting the body of a man floating in the sea. He was also believed to have left his motorcycle at the bridge and jumped off before drowning.

In 2020, there were 58 suicides and 24 attempted suicides in Penang. From January to May 2021, the numbers have spiked to 53 suicides and 19 attempted suicides.

Those suffering from mental health issues can call Talian Kasih at 15999, or reach out to Befrienders at 03-7627-2929 or [email protected], for support. – The Vibes, July 30, 2021