Police in Malaysia are considering arresting people who attempt suicide as a deterrent to stem the rising number of people killing themselves, reports the BBC's Robin Brant.
Danny Ong is 46 married with two children. Two years ago he contemplated killing himself.
Danny bought the place with money from a successful hair salon and restaurant business. But the company collapsed in 2006 and he collapsed with it.
"I felt sad, felt negative," Danny said. "I felt that life had no more hope, that no-one could help me. Life had finished. No more hope."
"Standing here I would think about the meaning of life? Why not jump? Every time I would think about why I wanted to jump and about my family and children." Danny concluded.
As Malaysia has got richer more people like Danny have emerged. The health minister has said publicly that there are on average seven suicides a day.
The suicide rate has increased, particularly amongst the country's Muslim Malay majority.
Government figures show barely a few dozen suicides in 2008. But the true number is likely to be far, far higher.
Accordi
ng to Islamic law expert Professor Ruzman Nor, taking your own life is a sin for Muslims. "Allah says 'Oh yea who believe do not kill yourself for truly Allah has been to you most merciful. If any do that in rancour and injustice soon shall we cast him into the fire.'"
Arrests are rare but two cases have come to court in recent years. Mr Nor thinks that prison is an appropriate way to deal with some cases.
"This law is suitable for our culture. When someone has been jailed for attempting suicide, during confinement in jail there will be counseling to make them realize that what they have done is not right."
Courtesy: BBC News..more..Danny bought the place with money from a successful hair salon and restaurant business. But the company collapsed in 2006 and he collapsed with it.
"I felt sad, felt negative," Danny said. "I felt that life had no more hope, that no-one could help me. Life had finished. No more hope."
"Standing here I would think about the meaning of life? Why not jump? Every time I would think about why I wanted to jump and about my family and children." Danny concluded.
As Malaysia has got richer more people like Danny have emerged. The health minister has said publicly that there are on average seven suicides a day.The suicide rate has increased, particularly amongst the country's Muslim Malay majority.
Government figures show barely a few dozen suicides in 2008. But the true number is likely to be far, far higher.
Accordi
ng to Islamic law expert Professor Ruzman Nor, taking your own life is a sin for Muslims. "Allah says 'Oh yea who believe do not kill yourself for truly Allah has been to you most merciful. If any do that in rancour and injustice soon shall we cast him into the fire.'"Arrests are rare but two cases have come to court in recent years. Mr Nor thinks that prison is an appropriate way to deal with some cases.
"This law is suitable for our culture. When someone has been jailed for attempting suicide, during confinement in jail there will be counseling to make them realize that what they have done is not right."
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