Top Malaysian official urges FAM to take action amid intense criticism

The Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has urged FAM to manage the current crisis in a structured, rule-abiding, and careful way to protect the future of football in Malaysia.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Taufiq Johari, stated that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) needs a calm and rational approach as the key to restoring public trust in the nation's football.

“I hope FAM can handle this issue in an orderly, proper, and cautious manner. We understand the challenges FAM is facing and will continue to provide space for the governing body to carry out existing internal procedures,” Dr. Taufiq remarked after attending the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Subramaniya Swami Devasthanam temple in Sungai Petani.

He emphasized that public support and the loyalty of fans are crucial for football to remain one of the most popular sports in Malaysia. Therefore, he hopes that Malaysians' passion for football will not fade away.

“I hope we can restore public confidence and perception of football, bringing the sport back to its position as the most beloved sport among the people,” he added.

The minister also mentioned that his ministry is still awaiting a special decision before taking any official stance and is not ready to comment further.

“Until any decision is made and I receive an official viewpoint, I cannot comment beyond that,”he said.

Last week, Malaysian media reported that all members of the FAM Executive Committee (Exco) for the 2025-2029 term voluntarily resigned en masse after only 11 months in office. This unanimous decision was made during a special Exco meeting at Wisma FAM in Petaling Jaya.

The wave of collective resignations is believed to be an effort to avoid harsher penalties from FIFA following the document forgery scandal involving seven naturalized players. After these resignations, FAM is currently managed by an interim committee to ensure daily operations continue without disruption.

The interim group is led by FAM Secretary-General Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, supported by Treasurer Datuk Ismail Karim and two other department heads.