Third Malaysian footballer attacked; JDT player has car hammered in Johor Bahru

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysia skipper Safiq Rahim became the third footballer to be attacked in the past week after he was threatened with a hammer and his car windscreen smashed by two assailants.

Safiq was not injured in the attack late on Tuesday (May 7) in southern Johor state following a training session with Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), one of Asia's top clubs run by the crown prince of the Johor royal family.

The 36-year-old midfielder posted a photo of his black Honda with its rear windscreen smashed on Instagram.

"Didn't expect to be attacked near the JDT training centre. We need to be vigilant," he wrote in the post.

He also shared a copy of the police report he made on Instagram where he said: "Two men on a motorcycle suddenly approached my car armed with a hammer and smashed my rear car windscreen."

"I stopped the car and I was in fear."

The incident took place at about 10.05pm as he was driving near the training centre area in Sri Gelam in Johor Bahru.

"Both of them stopped in front of my car and showed the hammer towards me and I quickly reversed the car. Soon after both left the place and since the rear windscreen was broken, I lodged a police report," he recounted. 

JDT's chief executive officer, Alistair Edwards, said that the club was concerned about the incident involving Safiq.

He added that the club has boosted the security of its players as a precautionary measure.

The club has also advised its players to be cautious of their surroundings and posts on social media. 

"We urge the Royal Malaysian Police to investigate the matter urgently," he added. 

The incident comes within a week of two other attacks on footballers in the Southeast Asian nation.

Malaysia's right winger Faisal Halim is in the intensive care unit