Universiti Malaya’s Dr Muhsin Ahmad Zahari said that the measure, combined with surveillance systems such as CCTVs, could deter intending jumpers, giving responders time to act.
“It will buy time for help to reach them. This combination of deterrent and intervention can save lives,” he told FMT.
Muhsin’s remarks come after a man reportedly fell from the Penang bridge two weeks ago, prompting a search and rescue operation. A car, believed to belong to a missing 64-year-old man from Jelutong, was found abandoned with his shoes and bag left behind.
In a written reply presented at the Penang state assembly on Nov 22 last year, the state health department called for the installation of safety barriers to deter individuals from leaping into the channel.
However, the state government opted to prioritise increased awareness campaigns for the time being.
The written reply also revealed that there were 23 attempted suicides at Penang’s first and second bridges between 2020 and 2023, with the majority taking place on the first link.
The federal government decriminalised attempted suicide in mid-2023, marking a significant shift in addressing mental health issues. The move was widely welcomed by mental health experts, who emphasised the importance of focusing on treatment and recovery rather than punishment.
However, concerns have arisen about the accuracy of data collection since then, as the stigma surrounding suicide may lead to underreporting.
Muhsin said there was a need for a proper suicide registry and coroner-led inquests into such cases to ensure accurate reporting of the data. He also called for the creation of a deliberate self-harm registry.
He said suicide and cases of self-harm reflects the status of a population’s mental health, with high rates recorded in countries like Japan and South Korea due to pressures from society.
Subtle mention of deaths should be looked into
Muhsin said widely reported cases, especially those involving celebrities, can trigger “copycat” suicide attempts among members of the public. He urged media outlets to report such cases carefully and responsibly to minimise this risk.
“Easy access to bridges contributes to more people choosing this path, just like in the US where guns are accessible. People tend to use what’s available,” he said.
He urged the public to look out for red flags among their loved ones and friends, such feelings of hopelessness, expressions of being trapped, significant behavioural changes, and remarks about being a burden to the family.
“Even subtle mentions of wanting to die must be taken seriously.”
Muhsin called for outreach programmes to be organised aimed at individuals who have never accessed psychological help. He also emphasised the importance of in-person services but said online access can also help.
Mental health remains a taboo subject, he said, and its victims are usually shrouded in shame and superstition.
“Some people still believe mental illness is caused by spiritual weakness or black magic. We must treat mental illness like any other condition, like diabetes or hypertension.”
Muhsin also called for wider insurance coverage, including at workplaces, to allow those suffering from mental illnesses better access to professional help. He also said public education was also necessary to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness.
The government, he said, must engage psychiatrists, NGOs, first responders and policy-makers to design a national suicide prevention strategy backed by research and training.