PETALING JAYA: While Malaysia’s national footballer Faisal Halim is recovering from his injury following an acid attack a few days ago, Malaysians are throwing support and prayers for the winger to be able to return to the field soon.
On the X platform, a photo posted by @MOFASAD showing a hand-written banner bearing #StandWithFaisalHalim7 hanging on a pedestrian bridge was reposted over 400 times.
As of press time, keyword "Faisal Halim" has been number one trending on the platform with over 58,000 posts.
User @mhdafq posted: "Faisal Halim 'Mickey', a real fighter. May he be granted recovery soon and will always be under His protection."
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amiruddin Shaari said it was time to condemn violence against Faisal and pray for his speedy recovery.
"This heinous crime has no place in Selangor. #StandWithFaisalHalim #StopTheViolence” Amiruddin tweeted.
The campaign, launched by the Selangor Football Association, called for solidarity with Faisal to end violence in sportsmanship.
"There is no room for violence in this beautiful sport we all love. Football is a tool of unity, it is not meant to divide us. Footballers work hard to entertain us week in, week out.
"Faisal Halim, is no different. Like any other athlete, sacrificing his blood, sweat and tears to give us joy and have something to celebrate together.
"Sometimes, as a nation, and in recent memory, his iconic goal against South Korea in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Putting smiles on people’s faces," it said in a post on social media.
Selangor FA urged the public to continue praying for the recovery of the football player, saying that this has gone beyond sport – rather humanity.
"Let’s rally behind the boy from the coastal plains of Penang with a big dream - to play football. But this is more than just football. This is about humanity," it added.
Melaka exco Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman called for all Malaysians to pray for the recovery of the national football player, adding that there was no place for violence in football.
"Following the development of the case involving National football player Faisal Halim who was attacked with acid.
"I called on all Malaysians to pray for Faisal Halim's recovery. Violence has no place in football.
"Get well soon, Faisal Halim," he wrote on Facebook with the "Stand with Faisal Halim" poster.
Composer-politician Altimet had also expressed his sympathy towards Faisal in a video posted on his Facebook story page, with a hashtag #StandWithFaisalHalim.
"I pray that Faisal will fully recover soon. With God’s will, I will see you play (football) again in the nearest time," the Lembah Jaya assemblyman said, who is currently in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
As of press time, Faisal who had undergone several surgeries and treatment had been showing positive development.
Selangor Football Association deputy president Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar said after visiting the national and Selangor player in hospital on Wednesday (May 8), Faisal was eating normally.
He joined the Crown Prince of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah to meet Faisal, who was attacked by two men in Petaling Jaya.
