KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: A prominent Malaysian footballer, Faisal Halim, is showing promising signs of recovery following a three-hour skin allograft surgery, announced a sports official on Friday. The surgery comes in the aftermath of a shocking acid attack that left Faisal hospitalized in intensive care, sending shockwaves across the country’s sports community.
The incident occurred last week at a shopping mall near Kuala Lumpur, casting a shadow over the impending start of Malaysia’s football season. Faisal, a winger for Selangor FC and the Malaysian national team, suffered severe fourth-degree burns, impairing his mobility and speech. This disturbing assault came on the heels of another violent incident involving a fellow national teammate, Akhyar Rashid, who was injured in a robbery.
Shahril Mokhtar, deputy president of the Selangor football association, provided an update on Faisal’s condition, stating that he responded well to the extensive skin allograft procedure. The surgery involved transplanting skin tissue from another donor to areas of Faisal’s body affected by burns. While the initial surgery was successful, medical professionals remain vigilant during the critical post-operative phase.
Faisal remains under intensive care and is scheduled for another allograft surgery, utilizing a skin patch imported from Belgium to aid in his recovery. Despite the severity of the attack, Shahril expressed optimism about Faisal’s prognosis, noting positive signs in his response to treatment.
The commencement of Malaysia’s football season, set to kick off with a match between Selangor and Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim, was overshadowed by the incident. Selangor opted to withdraw from the match, citing concerns over a recent spate of criminal incidents and threats targeting players.
In a separate incident involving JDT’s former captain, Safiq Rahim, the footballer narrowly escaped harm after being threatened with a hammer and his car windscreen smashed. The wave of violence has raised alarm bells within the Malaysian football community, prompting intensified security measures and calls for swift justice.
Investigations into the motive behind Faisal’s attack are ongoing, with two suspects arrested in connection with the incident. While one suspect has been released, authorities are continuing their inquiries, aided by fingerprint analysis and other forensic evidence.
The football fraternity in Malaysia remains united in condemning such acts of violence and stands in solidarity with Faisal Halim as he embarks on his road to recovery. The incident has underscored the need for heightened vigilance and security measures to ensure the safety and well-being of athletes nationwide.
