The FA of Malaysia (FAM) has appointed the nation’s former chief justice, Tun Md Raus Sharif (main image), to lead its independent committee investigating the documentation issue involving seven ‘heritage’ players.
The national body made the announcement this morning but did not clarify the duration of Md Raus’ appointment or his terms of reference.
FAM said Raus, 74, will select the members of the committee.
“Based on his extensive experience and credibility, the FAM hopes Raus and the other members of the committee will conduct a thorough and holistic investigation,” FAM said in a statement.
The announcement follows FAM’s Oct 17 press conference, during which it announced the suspension of secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Ghazali with immediate effect and the formation of the committee.
Noor Azman, however, has been seen at football-related events in recent days, including during Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s visit to Kuala Lumpur on Oct 25 and 26.
On Sept 26, Fifa sanctioned FAM and seven players – Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel – over allegations of “doctored documentation”.
Fifa fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs and handed the seven players 12-month bans after finding that documents submitted to confirm their eligibility contained false information. The world football body is expected to decide on FAM’s appeal by Oct 30.
Raus was appointed chief justice on April 1, 2017, succeeding Tun Arifin Zakaria. He resigned shortly after Barisan Nasional lost power in 2018, following controversies surrounding his appointment and extended tenure.
Last year, Raus chaired a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into matters related to the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge.
The RCI, in its 271-page report tabled in Parliament last December, recommended, among others, that a criminal investigation be initiated against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for “deceiving the government into surrendering Malaysia’s claim over the islands.”
Raus was called to the Bar last year.
