Suicidal man held, two kids rescued
Tuesday, 7 Aug 2018
By Manjit Kaur
IPOH: Police have arrested a 45-year-old man who tried to kill himself and his two young children in Ayer Tawar, near Manjung.
Manjung deputy OCPD Supt Chong Bhoo Khim said police and the Fire and Rescue Department rushed to the house to talk the man out of suicide after receiving a distress call at about 12.30pm here yesterday.
It took them about 25 minutes before the suspect gave in.
They then broke down the back door to rescue the two boys aged five and eight.
Supt Chong said the man’s niece, a 25-year-old beautician, received a call from the boys’ teacher informing her that the man had picked up the children.
When she went over to the house, she was chased out by the man, who locked the doors and said he was going to kill himself and the two children.
Out of danger: A police officer with the man after he allegedly tried to kill himself and his two children.
“He then turned on the valve of the gas cylinder, and wanted to drink poison together with his children,” he said.
The suspect has four previous criminal records involving drugs and criminal intimidation, said Supt Chong.
“We found a bottle of poison, a gas cylinder, a glass filled with poison, as well as a gas valve and a pipe in the house,” he told reporters.
The case is being investigated under Section 309 of the Penal Code for attempted suicide.
Those in trouble or in need of someone to talk to can call the Befrienders at 04-281 5161/1108 in Penang, 05-5477 933/955 in Ipoh or e-mail sam@befrienders.org.my.
