2024 Faisal Halim acid attack
| 2024 Faisal Halim acid attack | |
|---|---|
 Faisal after the acid attack at Kota Damansara mall on 5 May 2024 | |
| Location | Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia |
| Date | 5 May 2024 |
Attack type | Acid attack |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Injured | 1 (Faisal Halim) |
| Perpetrators | Unknown |
On 5 May 2024, Malaysian footballer 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.
Background
[edit]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.[2]
Acid attack
[edit]On 5 May 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 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
[edit]Faisal 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][11]
Investigation
[edit]In a statement on May 19, 2023, the police released a composite sketch of the suspect.[12] The police later found 5 of the 8 fingerprints on the scene to be incomplete.[13] On 8 May 2025, Faisal Halim's legal team announced that the investigation into the acid attack had been officially classified as "No Further Action" (NFA) by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC). The decision, communicated through a letter dated 18 February 2025, stated that police were unable to identify any suspects or establish any credible leads despite their efforts.[14] Faisal’s legal team, Messrs Mohd Ashraf, Nik Zarith & Co, expressed disappointment with the outcome and indicated that they would petition the Attorney-General, Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, to review and potentially reopen the case.[15]
The classification of the case as NFA drew criticism, with Pas Youth leader Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden describing it as a "dark mark in the history of national sports" and urging the government to provide a detailed explanation in Parliament. Afnan highlighted concerns about public safety and athlete protection, calling for transparency from the Royal Malaysia Police and the AGC.[16] Lawyer Mohd Haijan Omar emphasized that a case classified as NFA can still be reopened if new evidence emerges, noting that the AG has the discretion to direct further investigations. He also questioned the inability of law enforcement to resolve a high-profile case involving a serious offence under Section 326 of the Penal Code, punishable by up to 20 years' imprisonment.[17]
Reaction
[edit]The Selangor State Legislative Assembly passed a motion condemning the attack put forward by Abbas Salimi Azmi.[18][19]
Selangor F.C., Faisal's club, condemned the attack and subsequently withdrew from the 2024 Piala Sumbangsih.[20] They were subsequently fined RM100,000 of their actions.[21] The fine was reduced to RM60,000 after the Sultan of Selangor condemned the fine.[22]
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.[23][21]
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.[24]
Manchester United F.C. players André Onana and Alejandro Garnacho extended their heartfelt wishes to Faisal.[25]
Billboards were seen on major highways in Klang Valley used the hastag #JusticeForFaisalHalim, 2 months after the attack.[26][27]
German club Borussia Dortmund expressed solidarity with Faisal over the acid attack.[28][29][30]
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.
- ^ "Nilai pasaran Faisal Halim menurun 12.5 peratus". TV3 (in Malay). Retrieved 27 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.
- ^ "Faisal Halim's acid attack case classified as NFA, says lawyer". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ "AG is next step as Faisal Halim's acid attack case classified NFA". New Straits Times. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ "'NFA' kes serangan asid Faisal Halim titik hitam sejarah sukan negara" ['NFA' Faisal Halim acid attack case a dark mark in the history of national sports]. Sinar Harian (in Malay). Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ "AG is next step as Faisal Halim's acid attack case classified NFA". New Straits Times. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ "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.