Suspect detained after acid attack on Malaysia national footballer

Malaysian player Faisal Halim suffered burns after an acid attack on May 5, 2024. Photo by Facebook/Selangor FC

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan told The Star that the suspect, a man in his late 30s, was detained on Sunday and will be remanded until May 11.

"We have obtained a five-day remand order on the suspect. We are still investigating further," Khan said on Tuesday.

The suspect was arrested in Bandar Baru Bango on Monday. The previous day, Halim had acid splashed on him while he was at the Kota Damansara shopping mall in Petaling Jaya.

The 26-year-old player suffered wounds around his neck, shoulders, arms and chest. He was taken to hospital for treatment and was initially diagnosed to have second-degree burns.

However, Halim is now being treated for fourth-degree burns instead and may require more surgery for his injuries, The Strait Times reported.

Another suspect was detained in Pandan Indah on Sunday. He was in his 20s and was arrested after his motorcycle's registration number matched the one traced at the scene of the attack. However, the police believed that the culprit used a fake registration number and decided to release him, although he would be rearrested after testing positive for drugs.

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 his money.

Halim is Selangor FC's key player, scoring 12 goals in 26 matches last season. The winger has also emerged as a mainstay for the national team in the past few years, with 15 goals in 32 matches.