Published on: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 |
The former MAS Airport Manager earlier went to the 12th floor of the Great Eastern insurance building across the road at about 3pm but was chased away.
A security guard who saw him standing in front of a window on the 12th floor approached him and asked what he was doing.
"He told me he wanted to do some exercise and that he wanted to look at the cars on the road. I told him he was not allowed to be there and escorted him to the ground floor.
"But he then headed to Menara Jubili and I felt something was not right.
I immediately informed the security guard over there and went searching for him," he said.
The guards found him on the 11th floor and already standing outside the window. A 60-year-old contractor who was in the building at the time also went to check on the man after being tipped off.
"I was having a Chinese New Year gathering with colleagues when I received the information. I tried to stop him from jumping.
I managed to keep him busy by talking to him until the police arrived.
"I inquired about his problem and even offered him Ang Pau.
But whenever I tried approaching him he warned me not to come nearer," the contractor said.
The contractor backed-off after police arrived. However, they also failed to persuade the man from going back inside the building, even offering him cigarettes and water.
City Fire and Rescue Team operation chief, Niam Hing Ming, who arrived at the building at 3.15pm then tried his luck. "I asked him whether he has a wife and children and that he should not make such decision no matter what his problem. I told him I could help him and that everybody has a problem.
"I then tried to open the window but he told me not to. I said 'okay, but you have to come closer as I cannot hear you clearly'. I then asked what race he was and he replied Chinese.
"I told him I'm a Chinese, too, and offered to shake his hand but he just gave a quick touch and I could not grab him. I knew I had to wait for the right moment. I could see that he was sweating as it was hot," said Niam.
He said there were several policemen with him and one of them opened his t-shirt and rolled up his trousers.
"The man asked me why the policeman was rolling up his pants and I told him they felt hot just like him.
When the opportunity came, I grabbed his hand, causing him to lose balance."
Police at the scene helped bring him to safer ground. Hundreds of onlookers watching from the street clapped when it was over.
Police brought him to the hospital for treatment.
Acting City Police Chief, Supt Rowell Marong said police detained the man and the case would be investigated under Section 309 of the Penal Code.
