KLANG — The honorary title awarded to Selangor FC winger Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim on the occasion of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s 79th birthday has provided a much-needed boost to his recovery after surviving an acid attack in May.
Though initially surprised by the honour, Faisal, better known as Faisal Halim, said it strengthened his resolve to continue his football career and perform at his best, as he did before.
“During the award ceremony, Sultan Sharafuddin encouraged me to work hard, never give up, and keep moving forward. His Royal Highness offered words of support,” he said, speaking to reporters after the investiture of state awards and medals at Istana Alam Shah today.
“This honour is certainly a boost to my career. It’s not a title for me to boast about but rather a personal inspiration to rejoin the Selangor team with renewed determination.”
Faisal, who received the Darjah Kebesaran Ahli-Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (A.I.S.), was among 94 individuals honoured with state awards.
The Darjah Kebesaran Ahli-Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah was established in 2002 and is the Fourth Class in the Family of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s Orders of Merit.
The award is conferred to individuals who have served and contributed to the state or Sultan of Selangor.
The 26-year-old revealed that he was notified about the award two months ago, but due to a busy training schedule and his commitment to Selangor FC, he could not attend any rehearsals for the ceremony.
Reflecting on his recovery, Faisal shared that while his movement remains limited due to burns on parts of his body, he is recovering well.
“I’m just waiting for the right time to play my normal game. I need to get back to playing to improve my condition. Nothing can hinder me now. I can do everything,” he said.
On May 5, Faisal Halim, whose stunning goal against South Korea in the 2023 Asian Cup earned him the Best Goal award, became a victim of an acid attack at a shopping centre in Kota Damansara.
The attack left him with fourth-degree burns on several parts of his body. — December 11, 2024