GEORGE TOWN, May 17 – The recent incident of a man falling off from the Penang Bridge on 16th May 2022, at about 11:40am, has again raised tremendous concern regarding Section 309 of the Penal Code of criminalising attempted suicide in Malaysia. The bill has reached the cabinet but there are still no discussions in tabling the abolishment.
MUDA Penang urges the government to look into this matter and pursue all necessary to achieve the said abolishment. A total of 19 attempted suicides and 53 suicide cases were reported in Penang from January to May last year. There are plenty more unreported cases happening just on the Penang Bridge. Sign boards criminalizing the offenders can be seen erected by the Malaysian Highway Authority at the Penang Bridge.
MUDA Penang also urges the Malaysian Highway Authority to remove the sign boards and replace it with hotlines for suicides or redirecting it to responsible Non-Government Organisations that focus on mental health. The government has also allocated RM70 million under the 2022 budget to develop a robust mental health support system. MUDA Penang seeks clarification on where the budget has been spent and the outcome of it as well said Jazz Tan, Chairwoman of Parti MUDA Penang.
