Change the game, Sultan tells TMJ

JOHOR BARU: The Sultan of Johor has given his son an order before the names go into the hat for the election of the Football Association Malaysia (FAM) president.

“Change Malaysian football,” Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has told Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, according to a posting on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page.

The Johor Ruler has given his blessing to his son after granting an audience to 14 FAM affiliate members who sought his consent for Tunku Ismail to lead the national body.

Malacca FA deputy president Datuk Wira Mohd Yusoff Mahadi described the one-hour meeting with Sultan Ibrahim here yesterday, as fruitful.

“We informed Sultan Ibrahim that we believed Tunku Ismail is the right candidate to lead FAM and to bring positive changes within the body that would elevate Malaysian football to a higher level,” he said.

Among the affiliate members who attended were from Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Terengganu, Kedah, Perlis, Armed Forces, Malay Football Association, Chinese Football Association, Indian Football Association and the Football Coaches Association Malaysia.

Mohd Yusoff, who led the delegation, pointed out that the Penang FA also supported Tunku Ismail, but its representative could not attend as the association was holding its annual general meeting.

He pointed out that following the meeting with the Sultan, the delegates believed there would be nothing in the way of Tunku Ismail running for the presidency.

“Tunku Ismail just wanted the nod from his father. We are confident Tunku Ismail will go for it after the meeting,” he added.

Under Tunku Ismail’s leadership, JDT has become a major force in the local football scene.

They have won three consecutive Super League titles, 2015 AFC Cup champions, 2016 FA Cup, two Charity Shields and are currently in the playoff to qualify for the AFC Asian Champions League.

The other candidates for the top post are Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, former FAM deputy president Tan Sri Annuar Musa and FAM Integrity Committee chairman Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat.

The election of the new executive committee for the 2017-2021 term would be held on March 25 at FAM’s 53rd annual congress. Nominations will close on Feb 13 and the final nomination list would be announced on Feb 20.

The FAM has 19 affiliated members, who would be represented by two delegates each.

There would be a total of 39 votes, with one from the representative of the Football Coaches Association Malaysia.

The affiliates can nominate anyone they want – both from within or outside of their associations – to contest for the top post.