No to violence: Bukit Aman to beef up security following attack on footballers

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has been tasked with beefing up security following a spate of attacks on professional football players, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The Home Minister said the police are committed to ensuring the safety and security of the people.

"I recently discussed with the Inspector-General of Police on the need for the police to always be ready to maintain peace and public order.

"I have instructed the police to take necessary action to ensure the safety and security of the people," he told reporters after witnessing the contracts' signing ceremony at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (NatSec) Asia 2024 on Wednesday (May 8).

Saifuddin said the police are also diligently working towards bringing those who attacked the football players to justice.

"I also gave an update to the Cabinet on the current situation. I assured the Cabinet that the police are focusing on resources to ensure safety so that no segments of society feel threatened," he said.

It was reported that national winger Faisal Halim, who is also known as Mickey, suffered an acid attack on Sunday (May 5) at a shopping mall in Damansara.

Police received information from the public at 5.51pm that a national footballer was splashed with liquid believed to be acid when he was at a shopping mall in Kota Damansara.

The reason behind the attack is also uncertain.

Images of his injury are going viral on social media and many netizens are in shock that such an incident happened to a national football player.

Just days ago, his Harimau Malaya teammate Akhyar Rashid was robbed in Kuala Terengganu last week and suffered cuts and bruises.

On Tuesday (May 7) night, former national captain Safiq Rahim escaped unhurt after two men broke his rear windscreen in Johor Baru.

The 36-year-old, who plays for Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) revealed the incident on his social media account by posting a police report.