PETALING JAYA: Find the perpetrator no matter how long it takes.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has urged the police to continue their search for the person behind the acid attack on national footballer Faisal Halim, despite the case being classified as “no further action” (NFA).
Faisal’s lawyer, Nik Zarith Nik Moustpha, revealed on Thursday (May 8) that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) had categorised the case as NFA after a year-long investigation yielded no leads.
However, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain clarified that the NFA status is part of standard operating procedures (SOP) in criminal probes, especially when there is insufficient evidence to link a suspect to the crime.
Hannah, meanwhile, called on the police to honour their commitment and bring the attacker to justice.
"I hope the police will not stop investigating. I’ve read their statement and understand that NFA does not mean the investigation is over. That gives me some relief, knowing that the case is still being pursued.
"I also hope they will intensify efforts to track down the person responsible, because the country has invested so much in Faisal Halim. Thankfully, he survived and is now able to return to action.
"But I don’t think something like this should ever happen to one of our athletes. I truly hope the police will do everything they can to find the attacker,” said Hannah.
On May 5 last year, Faisal was attacked by an unknown individual who splashed a corrosive substance, believed to be acid on him while he was at a shopping mall in Kota Damansara.
The footballer suffered fourth-degree burns and had to undergo several surgeries as part of his recovery.
