Two individuals, hours apart, fell to their deaths at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 on May 1. One was a woman from China. The other, an Algerian man.
What drew widespread attention was the first incident, where a uniformed man was seen trying to pull the woman to safety, but failed. She fell to her death.
The scene brought back a personal experience in 2013.
A 32-year-old man caused a stir when he sat on the ledge of the 15th floor of Millennium Square Condominium in Section 14, Petaling Jaya.
He had asked for me. We had met a week earlier over an issue with his former employer. His complaint was vague, and I had told him I needed more details.
Back to the episode, police and firefighters were present. But there was no clear plan. I was simply told to “talk to him”.
I am not a trained counsellor. My only “training” came from growing up in Pekeliling Flats, an area once known for such incidents.
After about an hour of conversation, and summoning what courage I had, I made a split-second decision. I lunged, grabbed his Bayern Munich jersey with my right hand and held his leg with my left. As I pulled him back from the ledge, several policemen and firefighters rushed in to help.
No one had briefed me. No one had outlined a plan. I saw no safety nets. No trained personnel stepped forward to take control.
Fast forward to the Terminal 2 incident involving the Chinese national, it remains unclear whether those on the scene were properly trained or equipped to handle such a situation.
From videos and eyewitness accounts, one gap stands out — the absence of safety nets. The usual response appears to involve a fire personnel attempting to grab the individual while colleagues hold on to him. While this may work in some cases, it also places rescuers at serious risk.
The two recent tragedies at Terminal 2 have prompted police to engage Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd to review and strengthen safety measures. But this should not stop there.
Building owners and managers must take this as a wake-up call. There must be clear protocols, coordinated responses, and proper training for those on the ground.
Physical deterrents are equally critical. Access points to roofs and balconies must be secured. Monitoring must be strengthened, with personnel trained to identify individuals who may be in distress.
Equally important is investment in the right equipment to protect everyone involved — victims, bystanders and rescuers alike.
It is time for building managements to take this seriously.
There is little point spending on Instagrammable corners when a single tragic incident can undo everything, spreading instantly across social media and messaging platforms.
Editor’s note: If you or someone you know needs support, help is available in Malaysia:
- Talian HEAL (Health Ministry): 15555
- Befrienders KL: 03-7627 2929 (24/7)
- Talian Kasih: 15999 (or WhatsApp 019-261 5999)
