PETALING JAYA: Police are investigating whether the acid attack on national footballer Faisal Halim is linked to crimes against three other footballers, all of which happened in the span of one month.
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said their investigation into Faisal’s case has focused on closed-circuit camera recordings at the scene of the May 5 incident and conversations with witnesses.
“Our focus at the moment is to find the suspect’s identity to make it easier for us to investigate and find the main motive for the attack,” he said.
Razarudin said police have recorded statements from 23 people to assist in their investigation into the incident.
He said three individuals who were previously detained after being linked to the case have been released after it was found they had no connection to the attack, which took place at the car park of a shopping mall here.
Razarudin also said the photofit of the suspect believed to have splashed acid on Faisal, which was released last Sunday, has not resulted in any new leads.
Faisal, 26, is expected to be out of action until August and will miss two national team matches in the second round of the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup qualifiers against Kyrgyzstan and Taiwan next month.
On May 2, Terengganu FC winger Akhyar Rashid was attacked by two robbers after returning home from training, and former national team and Johor Darul Ta’zim skipper Safiq Rahim had his car’s rear windscreen smashed on May 7.
Selangor FC defender Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee’s home was burgled on Tuesday. He said a motorcycle had been stolen, along with four sling bags of various brands and a passport.
