Johor Jaya assemblyperson Tan Cher Puk became a hero today when he successfully prevented a man from jumping off the ledge of a four-storey bank in Bandar Baru Permas Jaya near Johor Bahru.

The man identified as Yeo Nam Soon, 37, had at about 10am, attempted to end his life after he failed to settle a dispute with the bank pertaining to his house.

Yeo shouted in Mandarin to bystanders on the ground that his house in Taman Tan Sri Yaakob, Skudai which he purchased for RM75,000 in 1990, had been auctioned off by the bank without his knowledge.

He said he had gone to the authorities to resolve the matter and even met with Skudai assemblyperson Dr Boo Cheng Hou. However, no one was able to help him.

Tan, who is affectionately known as Don Puk by pressmen in Johor Bahru for his participation with them in Mafia War games on Facebook, arrived at the scene 40 minutes after Yeo had climbed to the ledge.

He called Yeo on his handphone and pleaded with him to come down, assuring him that he would help him resolve the problem.

"Yeo told me that he needed help to clarify the matter with Bank Negara Malaysia," Tan said when met by pressmen later.

He told Yeo he could help set up a meeting with the bank on the issue but only if Yeo would come down from the ledge.

Tan said he was relieved to have saved Yeo as he believed there was a solution to the problem.

It is understood that the bank had mailed a letter to Yeo on the auction a few months back but it never reached him and was returned to the bank.

There was no official statement from the bank yet on the matter.

It is believed that Yeo was later brought to the Permas Jaya police station.

- Bernama