Body of Man Who Jumped Off Penang Bridge Has Been Found

The body of a 39-year-old man, who jumped off the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, was discovered by fishermen this morning after a two-day search. The fishermen spotted him floating on the surface about one nautical mile from the second bridge. It is also believed that the man’s body had construction bricks tied to his limbs.

Image: Fire & Rescue Department

News of the man’s suicide heated up on social media when his motorcycle was found left on Kilometer-11 of the bridge, along with a pair of slippers, a helmet, a mobile phone and a note which contained his identity and his family’s details. He was summoned to the Butterworth Sessions Court that morning as he had been charged for offences related to selling RM360 worth of contraband cigarettes.

The sundry shop owner from Tasek Gelugor, Butterworth, had posted on his Facebook page, condemning the government and authorities for making him pay thousands of Ringgit in bail money and fines. He was arrested twice – once in 2012 and another time this February. “Yes, I agree that what I did was wrong, but the punishment is not befitting the crime… Whatever that is happening to me is due to the cruel government of the day. I am just a small-time sundry shop owner,” he lamented.

The man also sought forgiveness from his wife, children and family for his decision to end his life. He decided to take this step because he didn’t want to end up in jail and let his children be known as a convict’s children. “I hope my sacrifice today would leave small-time traders from being charged for minor offences. I am sorry, I cannot be imprisoned for this and I have to do this,” he said.

The body has been sent to the Sungai Bakap Hospital for a complete post-mortem. Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Second District Director Captain Rozali Mohd Said also revealed that there were a total of 17 cases of people jumping off the Penang Bridge this year.