GEORGE TOWN: The body of a 74-year-old man who was believed to have fallen from the Penang Bridge has been found.

       State MMEA director Capt Abd Razak Mohamed said the Penang Malaysia Maritime operations centre received a call from the public through MERS 999 about the discovery of the body near bridge pole 30, Prai bound, at 11am on Sunday (March 20).

       "Following the discovery, a boat was dispatched and arrived at the location 20 minute later," he said in a statement, adding that local fishermen had helped keep the body from drifting away until the authorities arrived to recover it.

       He said the victim's body was brought to the Batu Uban marine police jetty for further action.

       He said the deceased, believed to be from Simpang Empat, had earlier abandoned his motorcycle at KM4.0 of the bridge.

       Capt Abd Razak said the remains had been sanitised by Health Ministry personnel at the jetty and handed over to police before being brought to Hospital Seberang Jaya.

       "MMEA would like to thank the fishermen for the immediate report and cooperation," he added.

       The public may contact the MMEA hotline at 04-262 6146 or MERS 999 to provide information on maritime offences or emergencies.

       Those suffering from problems can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service at 03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392; Talian Kasih at 15999 or 019-261 5999; Jakim’s (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) family, social and community care centre at 0111-959 8214; and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur at 03-7627 2929 or go to befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers nationwide and operating hours, or email sam@befrienders.org.my.