Malaysia football kicks off under heightened security after attacks

Tight security: Members of the Royal Malaysia Police look on during the Malaysia Super League match between Kedah and Police in Kuala Lumpur. - AFP

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's premier football league kicked off Saturday under the shadow of heightened security after a series of attacks against players shocked the country and forced the cancellation of the season opener.

An acid attack last week left star winger Faisal Halim in critical condition, just days after his Malaysia teammate Akhyar Rashid was injured in a robbery outside his home.