By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 8: Sarawak is hoping to avoid any violent attacks on athletes as the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) approaches, especially in the wake of recent tragic incidents involving three Malaysian footballers.
Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was referring to the three footballers from different football clubs in Peninsular Malaysia who were robbed, splashed with acid and attacked by strangers on the street in one week.
“If such incidents happen, we will curtail it and we will come down very hard on this.
“However, I hope it will not happen. So far I have high confidence in our athletes; their spirits are very high,” he said during a press conference held at Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Complex here today.
Based on various online media reports, Terengganu FC’s Akhyar Rashid was approached by unknown individuals outside a condo in Terengganu who robbed and beat him on May 2.
He sustained injuries to his head and left leg.
The second attack involved Faisal Halim from Selangor FC who was with his wife and kids at a parking lot in Kota Damansara.
He was in the driver’s seat with the door opened when two individuals on a motorcycle splashed acid on him. He suffered fourth degree burns and has undergone two surgeries so far.
On May 7, Safiq Rahim from Johor FC posted on his Instagram account that he was approached by two motorcyclists where one of them hit his car’s rear windshield repeatedly with a hammer. — DayakDaily
