KUALA LUMPUR – The second suspect arrested in relation to an acid attack on Selangor FC footballer Faisal Halim has a slew of criminal records, revealed Bukit Aman’s criminal investigation department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
In a press conference at Bukit Aman here, he said the man in his late 30s, who was arrested in Bandar Baru Bangi on Monday, had been implicated in seven criminal cases.
On his rap sheet are offences under Section 384 of the Penal Code for extortion, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities.
Shuhaily also listed offences under the Penal Code’s Section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt), Section 395 (gang robbery) and Section 170 (false impersonation of a public officer).
“The first suspect had no criminal records, but his urine tested positive (for drugs).”
He added that the first individual who was arrested in Pandan Indah on May 5 had since been released.
Shuhaily said the attack on Faisal was being investigated under Section 326 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means.
The remand on the second suspect will end on Saturday. Police have also recorded statements from 10 eyewitnesses and family members.
Clarifying that Bukit Aman had taken over the probe into Faisal’s case along with attacks on two other national footballers to streamline investigations, Shuhaily said the decision had been communicated to the relevant police contingents.
On May 5, Faisal, commonly known as “Mickey,” had been enjoying a family outing at a mall in Kota Damansara when acid was thrown at him.
The incident was the second assault involving a national footballer within a week. The first case saw Akhyar Rashid, a player from Terengganu FC, sustain head injuries during a robbery in Kuala Terengganu.
Last night, Johor Darul Ta’zim midfielder Safiq Rahim fell victim to an attack by two unidentified individuals near the club’s training centre in Seri Gelam, leading to damage to his car.
Faisal, meanwhile, is scheduled to undergo an imported skin transplant procedure after sustaining fourth-degree burns during the attack.
Crown Prince of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin, who is also Selangor FC chairman, had earlier pledged to cover all of Faisal’s medical expenses until his full recovery. – May 8, 2024