TMJ pours cold water on acid attack allegations

 

Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has poured cold water on conspiracy theories that linked him to the recent acid attack on Selangor FC footballer Faisal Halim.

Speaking at a programme in Johor yesterday, His Highness claimed that he has no reason to mastermind such an attack against Faisal.

Tunku Ismail (above) said many others deserve to be on his “target” list if he has one, rather than a mere football player who does not pose a threat to his team.

“What does this (incident) have to do with me? Some are trying to say that TMJ is the mastermind.

“If I want to finish off anyone, there are many other important targets in this country, like those who steal from the rakyat, those who burden the rakyat, or the people responsible for the constitutional crisis in this country.

“To me, these people are the bigger criminals I believe should be taken out. Not some footballers. He (Faisal) is just a footballer,” he said.

Tunku Ismail, who is popularly known as TMJ, was speaking at a podcast programme during the Johor Youth Meet-up Programme held at the Educity Sports Complex in Iskandar Puteri, Johor last night.

Last month, Faisal, who also plays for the national team, sustained serious injuries after he was attacked by two assailants using acid.

The May 5 incident at a shopping mall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor caused the 26-year-old to suffer fourth-degree burns on several parts of his body.

According to Bernama, he had to be treated in the intensive care unit for about 10 days and underwent several rounds of surgeries before being allowed for discharge on May 25.

‘Acid attack is for cowards’

The incident, which occurred several days after Terengganu FC winger Akhyar Rashid suffered injuries to his head and leg after being attacked by two individuals, sparked rumours and conspiracy theories, including alleged links to Tunku Ismail over football rivalry.

While Tunku Ismail acknowledged that Faisal is a good player, he claimed the latter was never seen as a threat to his team.

“Last year, JDT played against Selangor and we won 4-0, 4-0 and 2-0. Faisal Halim played (in the games).

“So Faisal Halim is not a threat to me,” he said.

Adding further, the regent said he also felt insulted when people accused him of being behind an acid attack.

To him, such an act was unbecoming and only employed by the weak. - Mkini