GEORGE TOWN – The Penang state government has set up a committee with its Health Department and several non-government organisations to find ways of stopping people from committing suicide on the Penang Bridge.
State welfare and environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh told the state assembly during Question Time that they have also requested from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to stop the media from covering suicide stories as a preventive measure.
The Sg Puyu assemblyman explained that these sorts of news are provoking those with depression to end their lives, in his reply to a written question by A. Kumaresan (Batu Uban-PH).
The state backbencher had pointed out that between April 20 to May 28, eight suicides were reported, involving four men and four women.
Kumaresan also commended a man who rescued a potential suicide victim on the verge of jumping off the Penang Bridge, saying that it takes a lot of courage to save the woman as it could have ended with double fatalities.
He stressed that from 2020 to May this year, Penang has recorded a total of 64 suicide cases not only on the Penang Bridge but also from other localities in the state, and urged authorities to draw immediate plans to prevent more of such incidents.
“The reasons for suicide were identified as love failures, broken marriages, and financial problems and debt. The state needs to set up call centres and counselling centres to help people who are depressed and under a lot of stress as a third party.
“Talking to affected people would help to prevent such incidents,” said Kumaresan.
Later, M. Satees (Bagan Dalam-PH) asked Kumaresan whether he agrees to a proposal for Penang Bridge operators to build a high fence to stop people from jumping off the bridge.
He said it would not be a financial burden to Penang Bridge operators to spend several millions of ringgit for such a purpose, as the operator makes billions of ringgit in annual revenue for operating the bridge.
Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya-Bersatu), former state health committee chairman, said that something needs to be done to better tend to the mental health of the depressed and people under stress.
He urged the government to set up a mobile unit in the state, where people with such problems can visit the mobile unit and talk to counselling members, adding that such a service could prevent them from resorting to suicide.
He said it is the state’s responsibility to make Penang a safe city to live in. – The Vibes, May 30, 2022
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