Soccer has been the most popular sport among Malaysians since decades ago. Every year, fans anticipated almost every match like the Malaysia Super League, Malaysia Premier Cup, and Malaysia Cup. Tickets also sold out faster in just a few days after every announcement. 

However, the sport that should unite fans and people has its dark side. On May 5th, a professional and national soccer player, Faisal Halim, also known as Mickey, suffered severe burns in an acid attack. He was attacked in a parking lot at a shopping center near Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

This incident also broke the international news and mostly, Malaysian citizens. Many speculated that this attack was planned. However, it goes way deeper as authorities and the media discover more twists and turns.

Motive And Means: How The Attack on Faisal Halim Begins

On the day of the assault, Faisal Halim was walking to his car, a Toyota Vellfire, after shopping with his wife. The media reported that Faisal was sitting in the driver’s seat. Suddenly, he noticed two men on a bike approaching from behind. The passenger began knocking on the driver’s mirror. As Faisal didn’t suspect anything, he began to roll down the car’s window. Then, the passenger whispered “Good luck” to Faisal and splashed him with a colorless liquid.

Faisal Halim was appalled and began to get out of his car. Witnesses also noticed he was running and struggling to take off his shirt. Meanwhile, the attacker quickly fled the scene as no one was swift enough to see the assault. As Faisal sat down in pain, guards rushed to control the situation and called the ambulance.

Although the Malaysian right-winger was traumatized, he was grateful that his wife who was a few steps behind the car wasn’t harmed. The media reported that this attack was too sudden and random. It also happened in the broad daylight in a public space.

Profiling The Culprit Behind the Attack

A day after the acid attack on the Selangor FC player, the Royal Police Malaysia quickly began an official investigation to track down the culprits. The Minister of Youth and Sport of Malaysia, Hannah Yeoh, also hoped that justice would be served for Faisal Halim and his family.

On May 6th, the police arrested the first suspect, a 20-year-old man in Pandan Indah, Kuala Lumpur. The second suspect, a 30-year-old man was also caught the next day in Bandar Baru Bangi Selangor. The first suspect was released after 2 days after the police didn’t find any plausible evidence that could link him to the acid assault.

Meanwhile, the second suspect was remanded for 5 days as police found 7 previous crime records on him. Then, he was released on police bail. The police also said that the second suspect can be summoned anytime by the authorities for further investigation.

Types of Acid Used by The Perpetrators

Faisal Halim suffered from a second-degree burn due to the acid attack. As soon as he was admitted to Shah Alam Hospital, the doctors noticed his face was the least affected part. However, his body, especially from the upper torso down to his belly was badly burned.

The doctors also suspected that the acid used by the perpetrators was concentrated sulfuric acid. This type of acid is highly corrosive and odorless. If human skin comes into contact with concentrated sulfuric acid, it can trigger a thermal chemical reaction. As a result, the acid can cause extreme skin burns. Without a quick action to neutralize the acid, it can eat into the skin, leading to necrosis and damaged cells.

The After-Effect of Acid Splash on Faisal Halim

Faisal Halim was later transferred to Selangor FC’s panel hospital for further treatment. The doctors diagnosed that the acid assault caused a fourth-degree burn, which is worse than their early checkup. Faisal had to be treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). He also had a hard time moving his left arm.

Though his condition is fairly stable, Faisal Halim had to undergo four surgeries including a skin graft to treat the damaged skin layers. The surgeries were divided into 4 stages. It also involved taking some skin part of his thigh to replace the damaged skin on his face. The surgery was successful, and Faisal was discharged from the ICU on May 25th.

Apart from the recovery process, the National player also has to undergo psychological treatment and rehabilitation. Selangor FC Board Member, Datuk Seri Sharil Mokhtar also said that their team will monitor Faisal’s condition closely. Rest assured that Faisal Halim won’t be retiring from his career anytime soon.

New Evidence Emerged from A Leaked CCTV Footage

The acid attack case on Faisal Halim took a turn after new CCTV footage leaked and went viral on X (formerly Twitter). This new evidence also made netizens shocked. It was different from what had been reported by the media. In the 56-second leaked video, Faisal Halim was walking towards his white sedan car. Before he could even open the car’s door, a man wearing a black shirt with a helmet started to approach from behind, carrying a translucent bottle in one hand.

He quickly splashed the acid at Faisal Halim before his accomplice, who was already waiting on a bike not too far from Faisal’s car, began to get closer. The acid thrower quickly hopped on the bike before they fled the scene. It seems like they have been waiting for Faisal all along. In that video, Faisal wife’s, Nur Syazwani Mizuana Shahril, was only a few meters away from the car. She tried to chase the attackers before bystanders noticed and came to help.

Police urged netizens to stop spreading the leaked video to avoid misunderstanding. Before Faisal Halim’s attack, another soccer Player from Terengganu FC was also attacked in an attempted robbery. Then, Safiq Rahim, a Johor Darul Ta’zim FC midfielder, had his car windshield smashed during his training session by unknown assailants. 

Because these three attacks happened in the same week, most netizens speculated that something unknown and bigger was happening. However, the police urged people not to take matters into their own hands as the case is still being investigated.