GEORGE TOWN – A man’s second attempt to swim from the island to the mainland failed yesterday, and he has been rearrested.
The 28-year-old first attempted to swim across the channel on July 12, saying he wanted to visit his friend in Butterworth.
North-east police chief Soffian Santong said the man was picked up by police shortly after diving into the sea at Tg City Marina here.
Following his second arrest, the man now claims that he wanted to swim all the way to the Holy Land in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, he added.
“He has been referred to a psychiatrist for evaluation to determine his mental health status. Urine tests conducted on him showed that he is negative for drugs.
“We will wait for the medical report to decide on further action,” Soffian said, adding that the man is currently housed at the psychiatric ward of Jalan Perak Health Clinic.
The suspect had suffered a broken arm following his first attempt, and received treatment at Penang Hospital.
It is learnt that doctors who had conducted checks on his mental status then found him mentally fit. – The Vibes, August 3, 2021
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