By Sheeda Fathil
SHAH ALAM, Aug 13 — It has been 100 days since the May 5 acid attack on Selangor FC player Faisal Halim at a Petaling Jaya shopping centre, but the case remains unresolved as the attacker remains at large.
Faisal, fondly known as “Mickey”, suffered severe fourth-degree burns on his face, neck, chest, shoulders, and hands, in what is believed to be the first acid attack involving a national athlete.
Owing to injuries to his skin, muscles, and bones, Faisal was brought to a private hospital’s intensive care unit for treatment.
The top scorer of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, Faisal had to undergo four skin grafts to repair damage caused by the concentrated sulphuric acid.
According to Selangor FC’s sports medicine head, Dr Muhammad Hazwan Khair, the surgeries, performed by foreign medical specialists, were estimated to cost over RM30,000.
Raja Muda Selangor Tengku Amir Shah, who is also Selangor FC chairman, expressed his willingness to cover Faisal’s treatment and medical care costs until he fully recovers.
The case drew widespread criticism, including from Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, who urged police to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the attacker to justice.
Consequently, state executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Najwan Halimi urged police to provide investigation updates, given the alarming nature of the incident, which raised concerns about the safety of national athletes.
“It has been nearly 100 days, and so far, there have been no updates or arrests. Police must be transparent and disclose the current status of the investigation,” he said on May 11, expressing concern that other athletes could be involved in similar incidents.
In solidarity with Faisal, several billboards with the message “Stand with Faisal Halim. Stop the Violence.” were put up across the state.
[caption id="attachment_356669" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
A billboard that reads “Stand with Faisal Halim. Stop the Violence.” seen in Shah Alam, on May 14, 2024. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Football fans, including those outside Selangor, put up similar messages in various locations.
The incident also caught the attention of Manchester United players Alejandro Garnacho and Andre Onana, who sent words of encouragement to 26-year-old Faisal on May 11.
Following the attack, Selangor FC decided to withdraw from the Super League-cum-Charity Shield match against Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), five days after the star winger was attacked. The game was scheduled for May 10.
In response, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) fined Selangor FC RM100,000 on July 25, deducted three points from their Super League standing, and ordered the club to compensate JDT. Furthermore, the match against JDT at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium was played without the presence of supporters.
MFL’s decision sparked outrage among Selangor FC supporters and even drew the ire of the Selangor ruler, who called the ruling “unreasonable and excessive”.
On June 27, the MFL subsequently revised its decision, reducing the fine to RM60,000 and revoking some of the sanctions against Selangor FC.
Various parties, including elected representatives, offered donations to alleviate the club’s financial burden.
The Selangor State Sports Council also launched the Selangor FC Solidarity Fund, raising RM76,490.06 from football fans and enthusiasts, beyond the RM60,000 fine.
The club considered taking the MFL’s sanctions to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
During the July 11 Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting, representatives on both sides of the divide unanimously condemned the attack on Faisal, describing it as extreme, and passed an emergency motion calling for a comprehensive investigation to be conducted as soon as possible.
The motion, tabled by Seri Serdang assemblyman Abbas Salimmi Che Azmi and approved by Selangor Speaker Lau Weng San, included a letter to police asking for the immediate arrest of the culprit.
Even though two suspects were previously arrested, they were freed on May 11. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the distribution of a photofit and statements from 12 people had not yet revealed the identity of the masterminds or perpetrators.
