PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA) congress and elections, scheduled for Sept 7, will now be postponed.
This was confirmed by the body’s secretary-general Nokman Mustafa, after the pullout of two presidential candidates.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil will not contest in the elections after the Cabinet announced that administrative members, including ministers and deputy ministers, are not allowed to hold top positions in any sports association.
“We accept the decision, plus they come from the same party, so we do not want anyone to fight each other. So just let it be and we’ll move on,” said Nokman.
“Now that the two main candidates are out, we will postpone the elections. We will see if any new candidates want to compete.
“But the elections will be done this year, in one to two months.”
On the decision made by the Cabinet, Nokman said he understood it but felt that it was still fine to have politicians in sports.
“It’s OK to have politicians but not ministers. Ministers have their day-to-day duties, so having a position in a sports association would be too much.
“As for politicians, those without positions in the Cabinet or secretaries and who are officers to ministers, that’s fine, as long as they can work for the betterment of the association.
“I myself have worked under a lot of politicians since I started getting involved with Kuala Lumpur football.”
Nik Nazmi announced his decision to contest on Aug 9 after discussing with several corporate figures and government-linked institutions before deciding to nominate himself.
The decision to contest comes after the club were fined RM100,000, had six points deducted, and faced a transfer ban for the rest of the Super League season due to inaccuracies in the documents submitted to government agencies for their club licence.
Now with the congress postponed, Kuala Lumpur players will be in a state of alarm over their future as they have salary arrears and also delayed EPF payments.
Nokman said they are doing their best to resolve the matter.
“We are looking for people to help the club and get some of the shares.
Despite the congress being delayed, our work to get funds for the club is ongoing.”
KLFA remain the majority stakeholder of the club.
