SHAH ALAM: The Selangor State Legislative Assembly today approved a motion condemning the extreme act of violence against athletes, particularly Faisal Halim who was attacked with acid in May.
The motion was brought by Seri Serdang assemblyman Abbas Salimi Azmi, and was discussed by five others representing all parties before being unanimously approved by 56 Selangor assemblymen.
Abbas read the motion under Standing Order 17(1) in front of the deputy speaker of the Selangor State Assembly, Kamri Kamaruddin, before the session discussed the mid-term review of the RS-1 Study (KSP RS-1).
"I propose that the Selangor State Assembly condemn actions that threaten the lives and careers of athletes, especially football players.
"This could hinder the state's efforts to produce more reputable athletes in Malaysia.
"I also called upon the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM). We believe in the credibility of PDRM, which is highly efficient, but please expedite the investigation and disclose it to the public so that we know why this incident occurred and who the perpetrator is," he said.
The assemblymen who participated in the debate were Gombak Setia assemblyman, Muhammad Hilman Idham; Balakong assemblyman, Ong Chun Wei; Hulu Bernam assemblyman, Mu'izzuddeen Mahyuddin; Lembah Jaya assemblyman, Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad; and Sungai Kandis assemblyman, Wan Dzahanurin Ahmad.
Before the motion was approved by the Selangor DUN Speaker, Lau Weng San; chairman of the permanent committee on sports, Mohd Najwan Halimi, strongly emphasised Selangor's firm rejection of such violent culture.
"Most importantly, we all uphold the compassion of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, towards the issues we are discussing today.
"Previously, sports did not involve any tense matters to the extent that a Sultan could rebuke or express his views, and we as citizens know that 'Daulat Tuanku' is the authority of the people.
"Whether in government or opposition, we stand firmly behind His Majesty the Sultan," he said.
On May 5, Faisal Halim suffered fourth-degree burns on several parts of his body after being attacked with acid by an unknown individual at a shopping centre in Petaling Jaya, and had to be treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for about 10 days.