Home Minister Denies Targeting FAM's Senior Management After Recent Attacks on Footballers
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has refuted allegations suggesting that the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) senior management is being singled out following a series of attacks on Malaysian footballers.
In response to questions from reporters at the Prime Minister’s Department’s Madani Aidilfitri Open House in Putrajaya, Saifuddin clarified, “No, they are not being targeted. I just wanted to meet Faisal (Muhammad Faisal Abdul Halim).”
However, he did not provide a specific timeline for the meeting with Faisal, who was recently subjected to an acid attack at a shopping mall in Petaling Jaya. Saifuddin had earlier expressed his condolences to Faisal's family in a Facebook post, urging them to remain resilient in the face of adversity. He also expressed confidence in the police's ability to thoroughly investigate the incident, calling for the public to trust their efforts.
The denial comes in the wake of claims made on an Instagram account suggesting that several FAM officials would be the next targets of attacks, although no motive was provided for these incidents.
The recent spate of attacks on Malaysian footballers has raised concerns about the safety and security of athletes in the country. The first incident involved Muhammad Akhyar Abdul Rashid, who was injured during a mugging near his home in Kuala Terengganu. This was followed by the attack on Faisal with acid and another attack on Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) player Safiq Rahim, whose car's rear windscreen was smashed with a hammer by two assailants on a motorcycle in Johor Baru.
Authorities are currently investigating these incidents and have urged the public to remain calm while the investigations are ongoing. The safety and well-being of athletes, both on and off the field, remain a priority for the government, and measures are being taken to ensure their protection.
In light of these attacks, there have been calls for increased security measures and stricter enforcement to prevent such incidents from recurring. The football community and the public at large are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
Saifuddin's denial of targeting FAM's senior management aims to dispel any misconceptions and reassure the public that the government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all individuals, including athletes, in the country.
Reference: Malay Mail
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