PETALING JAYA: Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) affiliates have retained six familiar faces, led by newly elected president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan, for the remainder of the 2025-2029 term.
Ab Ghani, who is also Malaysia Football League (MFL) president, won decisively at this morning’s extraordinary congress at the Hilton Petaling Jaya, defeating Selangor FA deputy president Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar 20-5.
The other five familiar faces are Datuk Rosmadi Ismail, Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin, Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan, Mohd Azizudin Mohd Shariff and Datuk Kamarudin Hassan.
This means 54.5 per cent of the new executive committee – six of its 11 members – are linked to the previous exco, which resigned en bloc following the doctored-documentation scandal involving seven footballers that Fifa made public in September last year.
Almost a year on, police have yet to conclude their investigation and, to date, no one has been identified or hauled up in connection with the saga, which made international headlines.
The election of the new executive committee went ahead despite a stern warning from congress chairman Datuk Seri Windsor Paul, who cautioned that the outcome could remain vulnerable to legal challenges at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Windsor, who is also the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general secretary, addressed the assembly after tabling a formal objection letter submitted by the Selangor FA (FAS) on Sept 8.
The letter cited Article 4.5 of the FAM Electoral Code, which stipulates that the chairman and deputy chairman of the Electoral Committee must be qualified to practise law.
“Because the chairman and deputy chairman do not meet the criteria in the FAM statutes, as pointed out in the letter from FAS, the ball is now in your court to decide whether you want to continue with the congress or otherwise,” Windsor told delegates before voting began.
“We all know that the chairman and deputy chairman do not have the qualifications stated in the FAM statutes. This is solely the decision of the congress, and not Fifa or AFC.”
Ab Ghani and his new team could face another embarrassing episode, with CAS expected to provide details of its findings on the doctored-documentation episode later this month, as reported recently by the New Straits Times.
Ab Ghani, a former Negeri Sembilan striker, was coy about the changes he plans to implement but outlined several priorities:
The new FAM leadership intends to identify and address key issues within the organisation during its first 100 days, with further details expected after the first exco meeting.
He acknowledged that FAM faces a crisis of confidence and said efforts would be made to rebuild trust among officials, stakeholders and Malaysians.
The new leadership plans to review FAM’s internal administration and governance before deciding on any changes. Ab Ghani said he wants to meet the association’s various units and officials first to understand the situation on the ground.
He also indicated that he would step down as MFL president.
“Not immediately, but I need someone to take over the MFL presidency to ensure the league continues to operate smoothly,” Ab Ghani said.
“I have some names in mind, and I will reveal the decision in due course. My focus will be on FAM, but I don’t intend to abandon MFL. Give me some time to name my successor.”
Ab Ghani added that the new exco would address shortcomings and observations arising from previous AFC audits.
“We understand that we only have two-and-a-half years remaining in this term, so not all major improvements may be achieved. But we will establish a foundation for future leaders to continue building on,” he said.
Ab Ghani also said Tan Cheng Hoe would be given the opportunity to prove himself as Harimau Malaya coach, while acknowledging that a new coaching approach could be considered.
He said FAM’s F30 blueprint – a 12-year strategic development plan launched by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), with the ultimate goal of making Malaysian football a top-five force in Asia by 2030 – would remain a reference point, although the new exco “could review or improve it to reflect current circumstances”.
Results
President
Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan 20
Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar 5
Vice President 1
Datuk Seri Rosmadi Ismail 15
Mohd Firdaus Mohamed 5
Syed Yazid Syed Omar 5
Vice President 3
Datuk N. Saaran 18
Afizal Abu Othman 7
Executive Committee Members (State Football Associations; three positions)
Mohd Azizudin Mohd Shariff 19
Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin 19
Datuk Alijus @Mohd Ali Sipil 15
Datuk Mohd Hisamudin Yahaya 12
Mohd Faizul Mohd Noor 4
Datuk Ramlan Shahean @ Askolani 3
Executive Committee Members (Clubs; two positions)
Datuk Kamarudin Hassan 15
Datuk Syed Mahadi Syed Hassan 15
Datuk Dr. P. Sugumaran 9
Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon 6
Muhammad Faliq Firdaus Muhammad Rom 5
Executive Committee Members (Professional; one position)
Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan 22
Azlan Johar 3
Executive Committee Members (Women; one position)
Datuk Suraya Yaacob 15
Dr Siti Faidul Maisarah Abdullah 10
