Loyal supporters go the extra mile, braving intense rivalries to stand behind their athletes on foreign soil
MORE than a decade has passed since Malaysia’s football team faced arch-rivals Indonesia at the 2011 SEA Games, yet the memory remains vividly etched in the mind of sports enthusiast Lee Hui Seng.
The final in Jakarta saw Harimau Malaya emerge victorious in a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout after a 1-1 deadlock at full-time.
However, it wasn’t the tactical masterclass on the pitch that stayed with Lee; it was the sheer hostility he braved while cheering for the national squad.
As a Famemas Malaysia Sports Supporters Club member, Lee had flown to the republic to stand behind the national athletes.
“There was an intense rivalry among the supporters, and it all came to a head during that final.
“When we arrived at the venue, the two buses carrying Famemas members were pelted with stones by local fans. After the match, we had to be escorted out of the stadium by security personnel due to safety concerns,” he recalled.
Now 61 and serving as the president of Famemas, Lee remains unfazed.
Since those tense nights in Jakarta, the club has attended dozens of local and regional events, from the Asian and Commonwealth Games to the Olympics, ensuring a Malaysian presence in the stands.
The club’s origins date back to the early 2000s, following the Asian Games in Busan, South Korea.
“Some 100 people, myself included, won a contest that sponsored us to go and cheer for the national players.
“We loved the experience so much that, upon returning to Malaysia, 10 of us formed a pro-tem committee to keep the momentum going.”
Now officially registered and recognised by the Olympic Council of Malaysia and the National Sports Council, Famemas remains a vital fixture of the sporting scene.
In December 2025, a 20-strong contingent of members and media personnel flew to Bangkok for the 33rd SEA Games, sponsored by the retail chain Eco-Shop Malaysia.
They were joined by another 20 Eco-Shop contest winners selected under the company’s Malaysia Power campaign.
Armed with national flags, kompang (traditional drums), and cheering sticks, the group hopped from venue to venue between Dec 14 and 21.
Their efforts were rewarded: the Bangkok Games marked Malaysia’s best-ever overseas performance, with a haul of 57 gold, 57 silver, and 117 bronze medals.
Dedication and discipline
Sporting events frequently create a combustible environment in which fervour can swiftly shift from civic pride to open hostility.
Hafidz Atrash Kosai Mohd Zihim, the 50-year-old deputy president of Famemas, stressed that supporters must remain composed.
“The conduct of supporters affects how the world perceives our country,” Hafidz said.
For him, cheering is a form of national service.
“I feel immense pride showing up for them as they carry our country’s name into the arena. It is an invaluable experience that no money can buy,” he said.
However, the reality of sport is that victory is never guaranteed. Gunasegaran Batumalay, 58, believes that fans must be a die-hard breed.
“Losing is part of sport, just as winning is. What’s important is that we close ranks and keep the cheer going, even in defeat,” he said.
A father of two from Klang, Gunasegaran views sport as a blueprint for life, “Sports help us cultivate discipline and, of course, maintain our health.”
Familiar face in the crowd
For some, the appeal lies in the community. Mansor Abd Khoni, 68, from Ara Damansara, has become a household name within the sporting fraternity.
Known affectionately as ‘Tok Mo’, his vibrant, colourful kits make him easy to spot in a crowded stadium.
“Former youth and sports ministers like Hannah Yeoh and Syed Saddiq (Syed Abdul Rahman) have approached me to say they recognise me,” Mansor laughed.
“I’ve even had people lining up at stadiums, prayer rooms, and even the toilets wanting a photo!”
Mansor credits a supportive employer for his longevity in the stands.
“My boss was a sports enthusiast himself. He understood my passion and never had an issue approving my holiday applications whenever I wanted to travel for a tournament.”
The passion is often a lifelong inheritance. Seremban-born Oormila Raveendran, 66, was introduced to the stadium lights as a child by her late father.
Now a mother of three and a former flight attendant, she has used her own time – sometimes taking unpaid leave – to follow the national team.
“I love meeting the athletes and hearing their experiences first-hand,” said Oormila, who also volunteered during the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
For others, the motivation is purely patriotic. Suriati Yusnita Mohamad Yusof, 47, a member of Famemas since 2009, said nothing could compare to the emotion of a victory ceremony on foreign soil.
“You don’t realise how much you love your country until you hear our national anthem, Negaraku, played outside our borders,” she said.
“Out there, it is a privilege. We only get to sing it when our athletes win gold.
“Seeing the Jalur Gemilang raised while our anthem plays in a foreign land –nothing makes me prouder to be a Malaysian.”
