On May 5, 2024, Malaysian football player Faisal Halim was attacked with acid at a shopping mall in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya.[1] The attack resulted in significant injuries and received widespread attention.
| 2024 Faisal Halim acid attack | |
|---|---|
 Faisal Halim after the acid attack at a Kota Damansara mall on May 5, 2024. | |
| Location | Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia |
| Date | 5 May 2024 |
Attack type | Acid attack |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Injured | 1 (Faisal Halim) |
| Perpetrators | Unknown |
Background
editFaisal Halim is a professional footballer who plays for Selangor F.C. and has represented the Malaysian national football team. Faisal Halim's acid attack comes after another Malaysian football player, Akhyar Rashid, was injured after being attacked by 2 robbers.[2]
Acid attack
editOn May 5, 2024, Faisal was attacked while leaving a shopping mall in Kota Damansara. Police were informed at 5:51 pm.[1] A CCTV footage shows a man with a black shirt and hat waiting behind a black car while watching Faisal Halim 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.[3] The motive behind the attack remains unclear as of November 2024.[4]
Aftermath
editFaisal Halim suffered burns to his neck, shoulder, hands and chest.[5] He later underwent 4 surgeries in a private hospital.[6]
After recovering, Faisal returned to the pitch in a game for Selangor against Kelantan where Selangor secured a 2-0 win.[7] 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.[8][9]
Faisal's market value dropped from RM1.87 million to RM1.63 million.[10]
Investigation
editThe police released a photofit of the suspect.[11] The police later found 5 of the 8 fingerprints on the scene to be incomplete.[12] As of November 2024, the investigation is still open by the police.[13][14][15][16]
Reaction
editThe Selangor State Legislative Assembly passed a motion condemning the attack put forward by Abbas Salimi Azmi.[17][18]
Selangor FC, Faisal Halim club, condemned the attack and subsequently withdrew from the 2024 Piala Sumbangsih.[19] They were subsequently fined RM100,000 of their actions.[20] The fine was reduced to RM60,000 after the Sultan of Selangor condemned the fine.[21]
The Sultan of Selangor, Sharafuddin, condemned the attack and was angered when Selangor FC was fined RM100,000 after their withdrawal from the 2024 Piala Sumbangsih.[22][20]
Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad, paid a visit to Faisal house. Faisal posted on Facebook that he and his family were very grateful for the concern shown by Tun Mahathir.[23]
Manchester United F.C. players André Onana and Alejandro Garnacho extended their heartfelt wishes to Faisal.[24]
Billboards were seen on major highways in Klang Valley used the hastag #JusticeForFaisalHalim, 2 months after the attack.[25][26]
German club Borussia Dortmund expressed solidarity with Faisal Halim over the acid attack.[27][28][29]
References
edit- ^ a b "Malaysian national footballer Faisal Halim suffers burns after acid attack". The Straits Times. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Malaysian soccer star 'responding well' to surgery following acid attack". The Japan Times. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "CCTV footage showing alleged acid attack on Faisal Halim goes viral". New Straits Times. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Selangor govt yet to receive feedback on progress of Faisal Halim's case". New Straits Times. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ "Malaysia footballer leaves intensive care after acid-attack: official". RTL. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Police yet to establish motive for acid attack on Faisal Halim". Malay Mail. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Faisal Halim returns to pitch for first time after acid attack, cheered by thousands of fans as Selangor beats Kelantan 2-0". Malay Mail. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ "AFC Champions League: Faisal Halim makes longest appearance since acid attack". Selangor Journal. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "ACL2: Faisal Halim Relishes Longest Appearance Since Acid Attack". Bernama. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "Faisal Halim's market value drops after acid attack". New Straits Times. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ "No to violence: Police release photofit of Faisal Halim acid attack suspect". The Star. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Faisal Halim acid attack: Five of eight fingerprints found at scene incomplete, says IGP". Malay Mail. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Siasatan kes simbah asid Faisal Halim tak pernah dihentikan". Harian Metro (in Malay). Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "Probe into acid attack on Faisal Halim ongoing". The Star. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "IGP: Probe into Faisal Halim's acid attack ongoing". New Straits Times. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "Polis tak tutup kes Faisal Halim, siasatan masih diteruskan". mStar (in Malay). Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "Assembly passes emergency proposal condemning acid attack on Faisal Halim". Selangor Journal. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Selangor assembly unites against athlete violence, urges swift action in Faisal Halim acid attack case". Malay Mail. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Charity Shield match cancelled after Selangor FC withdrawal". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ a b ""Inhumane" – Sultan Selangor Tells M'sian Football League Who Fined Selangor FC RM100k for Quiting Match". World of Buzz. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Selangor FC's fine reduced, 3-point deduction reversed". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Selangor Sultan condemns acid attack on footballer Faisal Halim". The Star. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Acid attack victim Faisal Halim receives surprise visit from Tun Mahathir". New Straits Times. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "'We are with you. Stay strong', Manchester United players tell Faisal Halim". New Straits Times. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "#NSTViral: Billboards across major highways continue call for Justice for Faisal Halim". New Straits Times. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ "#JusticeForFaisalHalim billboards appearing in Klang Valley two months after attack". The Star. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ "Borussia Dortmund expresses solidarity with Faisal Halim". Malay Mail. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "German giants Borussia Dortmund stand in solidarity with Faisal". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "German giants Dortmund stand behind Faisal Halim". New Straits Times. Retrieved 6 October 2024.