Malaysian Indians suffer high suicide rate - paper

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Reuters) Malaysia's ethnic Indians, among the poorest sections of society, have a suicide rate three times the national average, a newspaper reported today.

Poverty, unemployment, alcoholism and drug abuse are among the most common reasons for suicides among Malaysian Indians, the New Straits Times quoted psychiatrist T Maniam as saying.

Malaysian Indians commit or attempt suicide at a rate of 30-35 per 100,000 every year, compared with the national average of 10-12 per 100,000, the daily said. Malaysian Chinese, the wealthiest ethnic group, had a rate of 15, and indigenous Malays, the largest ethnic group, a rate of six.

Malays are also poor compared with ethnic Chinese but benefit from affirmative-action policies that give them preference for university places, civil-service jobs and state contracts.

REUTERS SRS BST0855