Malaysia national football team player Faisai Halim suffers acid attack

The incident occurred at a shopping center in Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur, when Halim was attending a go-kart racing event. It quickly went viral on social media, with a photo of the 26-year-old player sitting wrapped in a damp towel with wounds showing on his back and left hand.

According to Malaysian news agency Bernama, Faisal Halim had acid splashed on him by unidentified suspects. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said his force received information about the attack at 5:51 p.m. local time, and urged those with information to contact the police hotline.

Halim is said to be in stable condition, being treated at a private hospital.

Selangor FC posted on their official X (formerly Twitter) account that they viewed the matter seriously and would cooperate with the authorities to investigate the incident.

"Sad to announce that Selangor FC player, Faisal Halim, became a victim of an acid attack. Selangor FC urges all supporters and football fans nationwide to pray for and give moral support to Faisal Halim and his family and to respect their privacy," the club wrote.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh also posted on X, condemned the attack and urged police to take action immediately.

The attack took place five days before the 2024 Malaysia Super League kicked off, when Selangor will play defending champion Johor Darul Ta'zim.

Halim is Selangor's key player, scoring 12 goals in 26 matches last season. The winger has emerged in the last three years and became a mainstay in the national team with 15 goals in 32 matches.

This is the second incident involving a national footballer after Terengganu FC winger Akhyar Rashid suffered injuries to his head and leg after being attacked by two robbers in his housing area in Kuala Terengganu. The suspects fled after taking Rashid’s money.