The Fire and Rescue Department launched a sea search for a man after his motorcycle was found in the middle of the second bridge in Penang October 26, 2016. — Picture courtesy of the Penang Fire and Rescue Department

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 26 — Search and Rescue teams consisting of the Fire and Rescue Department and the Marine Police have started a sea search here for a man who was believed to have jumped off the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge this morning.

According to this morning’s initial report, the Fire and Rescue Department started the search operations at around 8.48am after the man’s motorcycle, slippers and handphone were found at KM11.3 of the bridge on the island-bound side.

He is believed to have jumped off the bridge and the search operations are still underway to find him.

The 38-year-old had purportedly posted a lengthy suicide note on his Facebook status that was shared by a Facebook user known as Lie Gj Penang and has since then been shared over 400 times.

In his note, he had asked for the forgiveness of his wife, children and family members while listing out the reasons for his decision to end his life.

He lamented over being charged for selling illegal cigarettes that are worth below RM160 for a case in 2012.

He compared his case to the one of a “director who took millions and yet was freed on bail” and how the “cruel government” are victimising him as a small grocery store owner.

He said he decided to take this step as he did not want to go to jail and let his children be called “a convict’s children”.