Acid attack on Faisal Halim
On 5 May 2024, Malaysian footballer Faisal Halim was attacked with acid at a shopping mall in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya. The attack resulted in significant injuries and received widespread attention.
Background.
Faisal Halim is a professional footballer who plays for Selangor F.C. and has represented the Malaysian national football team. Faisal's acid attack comes after another Malaysian footballer, Akhyar Rashid, was injured after being attacked by 2 robbers.
Acid attack.
On 5 May 2024, Faisal was attacked while leaving a shopping mall in Kota Damansara. Police were informed at 5:51 pm. A CCTV footage shows a man with a black shirt and hat waiting behind a black car while watching Faisal walk towards his car, the man splashed acid on him multiple times. The suspect later fled with another man waiting with a motorcycle not far from the incident scene. The motive behind the attack remains unclear as of November 2024.
Aftermath.
Faisal suffered burns to his neck, shoulder, hands and chest. He later underwent 4 surgeries in a private hospital.
After recovering, Faisal returned to the pitch in a game for Selangor against Kelantan where Selangor secured a 2–0 win. Faisal played his longest appearance since the acid attack in a game in an AFC Champions League Two match against Cebu F.C. where they won 1–0.
Faisal's market value dropped from RM1.87 million to RM1.63 million.
Investigation.
The police released a photofit of the suspect. The police later found 5 of the 8 fingerprints on the scene to be incomplete. As of November 2024, the investigation is still open by the police.
Reaction.
The Selangor State Legislative Assembly passed a motion condemning the attack put forward by Abbas Salimi Azmi.
Selangor F.C., Faisal's club, condemned the attack and subsequently withdrew from the 2024 Piala Sumbangsih. They were subsequently fined RM100,000 of their actions. The fine was reduced to RM60,000 after the Sultan of Selangor condemned the fine.
The Sultan of Selangor, Sharafuddin, condemned the attack and was angered when Selangor was fined RM100,000 after their withdrawal from the 2024 Piala Sumbangsih.
Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad, paid a visit to Faisal's house. Faisal posted on Facebook that he and his family were very grateful for the concern shown by Tun Mahathir.
Manchester United F.C. players André Onana and Alejandro Garnacho extended their heartfelt wishes to Faisal.
Billboards were seen on major highways in Klang Valley used the hastag "#JusticeForFaisalHalim", 2 months after the attack.
German club Borussia Dortmund expressed solidarity with Faisal over the acid attack.
References.
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