KUALA LUMPUR – Police have denied detaining a third suspect in their probe into the acid attack against national footballer Faisal Halim, who suffered fourth-degree burns as a result of the incident.
In dismissing claims on a third arrest, Bukit Aman’s criminal investigation department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said that information obtained from unverified sources should not be legitimised.
According to Bernama, Shuhaily confirmed that no new arrests had been made, adding that police were still interrogating the second suspect arrested in Bandar Baru Bangi on Monday.
Police have also contacted the top two managers of Selangor FC to take their statements regarding a police report lodged against potential threats of another acid attack targeting club officials, Shuhaily said when met by reporters during his visit to the scene of the attack outside a mall in Kota Damansara.
Shuhaily also reportedly said that police were awaiting an analysis of fingerprints found at the crime scene after police reviewed CCTV footage at the location, which showed that the suspects had touched several surfaces.
“We have already extracted some fingerprints that were left there. We are still waiting for an analysis of these fingerprints… it gives us a positive picture and brings us closer to this latest suspect.”
Yesterday, Shuhaily told reporters that the second suspect arrested to facilitate investigations into the attack had previously been involved in seven criminal cases.
The man in his late 30s, who was arrested on Monday, has on his rap sheet 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).
He added that the first individual, who was arrested in Pandan Indah on May 5 and has since been released, did not have any criminal records, but tested positive for drugs.
The attack on Faisal is being investigated under Section 326 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means.
On May 5, Selangor FC forward Faisal, commonly known as “Mickey,” had been enjoying a family outing at the mall when acid was thrown at him by two individuals on a motorcycle.
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 on May 2.
On Tuesday, Johor Darul Ta’zim player Safiq Rahim fell victim to an attack, also by two unidentified individuals, near the club’s training centre in Seri Gelam, leading to damage to his car.
The Malaysian Football League has since called off the Charity Shield, scheduled to take place at Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Stadium tomorrow, after Selangor FC withdrew from the clash, citing safety considerations after the attacks on national players. – May 9, 2024