Man sues FAM, Police over injury in Stadium

A former graphic designer, who was blinded in his right eye after being struck by firecracker fragments while watching a football match at the Bukit Jalil national stadium, has filed a RM776,000 negligence suit.

Ahmad Jazimin Mohd Jalaludin named the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), the Selangor chief police officer, the inspector-general of police and the government as defendants.

The statement of claim was filed through the legal firm, Messrs N.M. Amin & Associates, at the High Court registry yesterday.

The general damages are for pain and suffering and loss of earning capacity, amounting to RM676,000 and another RM100,000 for general damages.

Jazimin, 30, also sought other relief deemed fit by the court.

He purchased a ticket on July 28 last year to watch a World Cup qualifier match between Malaysia and Singapore. The match ended in a 1-1 draw but Singapore advanced to the next round after a 6-4 aggregate.

He said he suffered serious injuries and losses due to the defendants' negligence and would prove his case through medical reports.

Jazimin said FAM, which is affiliated to Fifa, the world governing body, failed to adhere to standards required to host international matches. He said FAM failed to provide adequate safety for fans who came to watch the match.

He said this included failure to provide sophisticated equipment to detect and screen illegal objects being brought into the stadium and make available staff to assist the police at the stadium entrance.

Jazimin said the police were responsible for the safety of fans and this included screening every spectator entering the stadium.

However, police failed and were also negligent in carrying out their duties, Jazimin added.