Malaysian Football Star Faisal Halim in Critical Condition After Acid Attack

Malaysian football sensation Faisal Halim is currently battling for his life following a vicious acid assault, undergoing a second surgery to address the severe fourth-degree burns inflicted upon him. The attack, orchestrated by multiple assailants, has left him in critical condition, with doctors at a private hospital in Shah Alam now grappling with the extensive damage.

Initial assessments by medical professionals suggested Faisal had suffered second-degree burns. However, upon further examination at a different medical facility, the severity was upgraded to fourth-degree, highlighting the gravity of the situation. Faisal's ordeal is compounded by excruciating pain, with his left hand bearing the brunt of the damage, casting doubts on his future in professional athletics.

According to Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar, deputy president of the Selangor Football Association (FAS) and a member of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) executive committee, Faisal's injuries have profoundly impacted his mobility and speech. The acid's corrosive effects have ravaged his facial features, rendering communication and movement challenging. Shahril anticipates an extensive recovery period, estimating Faisal's hospital stay to extend for at least three to four weeks, with a projected absence from the field for a minimum of five to six months.

The brutal assault occurred when Faisal was ambushed by two assailants on a motorcycle in a parking lot at a Kota Damansara shopping mall. Before launching the attack, the perpetrators callously taunted him with the phrase, "Good luck!" The swift police response led to the apprehension of two suspects, one of whom was captured in Pandan Indah on the night of the assault, while the other was arrested in Bandar Baru Bangi the following night.

This shocking incident marks the second assault on a footballer within days, echoing the recent attack on national winger and Terengganu FC player Akhyar Rashid by two robbers. As investigations unfold, authorities have revealed that Faisal fell victim to a targeted assault involving highly corrosive concentrated sulphuric acid, underscoring the brutality of the attack and the urgent need for justice.