KUCHING: The authorities must thoroughly investigate the recent attacks on three Malaysian footballers, says Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He said it was alarming to see athletes, especially those who have represented Malaysia, being targeted in these incidents.
"I hope the authorities will go right to the roots of the problem. If it involves bookies or (betting) syndicates, it needs to be addressed properly," he told reporters after attending Affin Group's Raya open house here on Wednesday (May 8).
Abdul Karim said it was a despicable act to assault athletes, including attacking one of them with acid.
"Things like this should not happen. Sports is something that has been going on in the country for many years and suddenly something like this happens," he added.
On Tuesday (May 7), JDT midfielder Safiq Rahim became the latest footballer to suffer an anonymous attack when two suspects smashed his rear windshield as he was driving in Johor Baru.
This incident came after national winger Faisal Halim suffered an acid attack at a shopping mall in Selangor on Sunday (May 5).
On May 2, national winger and Terengganu player Akhyar Rashid was assaulted and robbed near his residence in Kuala Terengganu.
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