FOLLOWING a spate of suicide cases at the Penang Bridge recently, the Penang government is currently engaging with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and medical professionals on how to discourage people with emotional problems to use the bridge to commit suicide.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said his state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, who is in charge of the state Welfare and Environment Committee, was in discussion with professionals and NGO representatives to come up with a plan.
“They are going to finish the discussion to look at how best this issue can be tackled. This is to discourage people who face emotional and psychological challenges to avoid making the bridge a suicide spot.
“There are several cases that occurred at the Penang Bridge. We don’t want the trend to continue. Maybe not reporting them is also one good solution because it is emboldening people (with suicide tendencies) when they see the news. The person may be thinking ‘if he can do it, maybe I can do it as well’.
“So, there is a strategy not to over publicise such incidents so that the people who may be facing the problems will not be led to that fatal move.
“They have also cited a certain country which has managed to turn its bridge to zero suicide case after some kind of installation. Let them work on it as they look at other examples from foreign countries on how they tackle this issue,” Chow said in a press conference after attending a Hari Raya do at the Penang Development Corporation in Bayan Baru today.
He was replying to a reporter’s question on what measure or proposal was taken by the state concerning the suicide cases.
It was reported on May 17 that at least five individuals were reported to have fallen off the bridge in the last 12 days.
A video of a woman allegedly attempting to jump off the structure on May 22 went viral. Her attempt was, however, foiled by an off-duty fireman and several passers-by.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Law Suun Ting