By Sheeda Fathil
SHAH ALAM, May 18 — The state government is ready to help cover the medical treatment costs for Harimau Malaya and Selangor FC winger Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim after his recovery.
However, this will depends on his need for follow-up treatment, said state executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi.
“The state government is closely monitoring Faisal’s progress, including his treatment aspect. As a registered player with Selangor FC, he also has health insurance.
“Furthermore, His Highness Raja Muda Selangor Tengku Amir Shah has also expressed the intent to cover Faisal’s treatment costs.
“As such, the state government is also open to assisting him based on his needs, perhaps in terms of rehabilitation,” he told the press after the Selangor Local Youth Movers briefing ceremony (PeBS) at Dewan Jubli Perak yesterday evening.
The councillor added that he hopes Faisal can recover and return to the field in the future.
“We will help to ensure Faisal can regain his fitness, and if possible, we want him to play again for the Selangor FC team,” Najwan said.
The national football scene was shocked when Faisal was splashed with acid by an unknown individual at a shopping mall in Petaling Jaya on May 5, causing him to suffer fourth-degree burns and affecting his movements and speech.
After undergoing a series of surgeries and skin grafts, the winger is currently recuperating after being moved from the Intensive Care Unit to a normal ward of a private hospital.
Faisal’s attack was the second such incident after Terengganu FC loan player Muhammad Akhyar Abdul Rashid was attacked by two robbers at his residential area in Kuala Terengganu on May 2.
Later, on May 7, Johor Darul Ta’zim player Safiq Rahim was assaulted by two men on a motorcycle who smashed the rear window of his car with a hammer in Johor Bahru.
