Meet and greet: Selangor’s Faisal Halim signing an autograph for a fan during an Under-12 Faisal Halim Cup tournament in Kubang Semang, Bukit Mertajam, yesterday. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: National footballer Faisal Halim has expressed his disappointment following the Attorney General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to classify the acid attack case against him as “no further action” ( A).
This comes after the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) found no leads that could link any individual to the case as a suspect.
Faisal’s lawyer, Nik Zarith Nik Moustapha, disclosed the outcome at a press conference last Thursday, and the player did not hide his frustration that justice had yet to be served.
The Selangor forward called on anyone who may have had a problem with him to come forward instead of harming him in such a manner.
“As the victim, of course I’m disappointed,” he said during the Under-12 Faisal Halim Cup football tournament in Bukit Mertajam.
“But what more can I say? It has happened, and it’s in the past now. All I hope for is the chance to return to football.
“If I’ve wronged anyone, tell me. Don’t do this to me.
“As far as I know, I’ve done nothing to deserve this. If I have, I’d rather be told than be treated like this.
“I have a family to support. I didn’t chase a football career for comfort, but to pursue success,” said Faisal.
The incident on May 5 last year nearly cost Faisal his life when he was attacked by an unknown individual while out with his family at a mall in Kota Damansara.
The acid attack left him with fourth-degree burns on large parts of his body and face, and he was warded in the intensive care unit (ICU).
While the case has been marked as A, Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director, Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, clarified that this did not mean the case was closed.
He said the classification was standard procedure in criminal investigations where no suspects have been identified.
For Faisal, though, he has chosen not to dwell on the matter and instead focus on moving forward in his football career.
“I accept it with an open heart. I’m ready, and I see this as a chance to get back on the pitch,” he said.
“My only focus now is on my job. I don’t want to think about the case or the A decision any more – that’s up to the police,” he added.
Remarkably, just three months after the attack, Faisal made a courageous return to action when he featured in Selangor’s Super League match against Kelantan in August.
