MELAKA: A suicide attempt by a rider of one of the historic city's trishaws in Bandar Hilir here on Monday (Feb 19) is due to personal financial problems.
Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit refuted speculations that the suicide attempt by the 59-year-old rider was a result of his dwindled revenues that stemmed from the weekend car-free zone initiative debuted by the state government in August last year.
He said preliminary findings show that the man had unsettled debts.
"I hope that such rumours (on dwindled earnings due to the road closures) are stopped," he said on Monday.
ACP Christopher said the man was rushed to Melaka Hospital by another trishaw rider and he is stable.
The trial run for the weekend road closures began Friday (Dec 22), involving Jalan Istana, Jalan Mahkamah, Jalan Gereja, Lorong Gereja, Jalan Laksamana as well as parts of Jalan Tun Khalil Yaakob and Jalan Merdeka.
The car-free zone was initially only on Saturdays lasting for six hours from 6pm to midnight before turning into a 54-hour road closure on Dec 23, last year.
The state government wanted tourists to explore iconic historic landmarks without the interruption of vehicular traffic.
However, the initiative also received objections from the business community in
At the time, Melaka Malay Small Traders Association deputy president Abdul Rahim Embi also voiced out against the initiative by stating that the 54-hour road closure had severely affected the traders in the area.
Those suffering from mental health issues or contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999 or 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim’s Family, Social and Community care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929, go to www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers and operating hours, or email sam@befrienders.org.my.
