The current state of football in Malaysia is a reflection of the Southeast Asian nation’s broader socio-economic, political, and governance issues.
From the sheer volume of empty rhetoric to the lack of enforcement and questionable governance practices that have left footballers and coaches with unpaid wages, the off-pitch drama seems to hog the limelight more than what should matter the most – real, tangible results.
The uneven distribution of wealth, the rising cost of living, and the widening socio-economic gap are problems that affect not only individuals but also companies, institutions, and, surprise surprise … football clubs.
The resources allocated to football development, and sports in general, are often insufficient. This, despite football enjoying the lion’s share of government funding as evident in Bugdet 2025, ostensibly due to its ‘popularity’.
Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), on track to winning its 11th Super League title this season, pretty much represents the T1 of the Malaysian population – the elite few who have the means, ‘connections’, and capability to grow, influence, and expand their opportunities to get the desired results.
There are, perhaps, a handful of M40s in the league – Selangor FC and Terengganu FC, to name a few. They may seem comfortable, or so many would think. The majority of the participating teams are the ‘B40s’; struggling to pay their footballers and coaches on time, with little or no savings set aside to develop young talents.
The fans are tired. The reasons they shy away from the stands may vary, but the net result is the same. Poor performing teams, uninspiring play, questionable refereeing, and maybe because some venues are just too far. The viewing trends of football have also changed, with more people admitting that they watch highlights instead of the full matches live.
FA of Malaysia general secretary Datuk Noor Azman Rahman was quoted as saying that if fans loved the M League, and the national teams, they should come to the stadiums to give their support.
That’s a rhetoric one would expect from a politician – spewing empty words, with little or no realistic action plan. In typical fashion, when all else fails, the “for the love of the country/political party/race…” narrative is dusted off and thrown into the ring.
Aren’t there regulations, guidelines, or policies in place to ensure that teams remain sustainable? The guardian of the league – established as Football Malaysia LLP (FMLLP) before changing its name to Malaysia Football League (MFL) – introduced the Economic Control Programme, which was later replaced by the Financial Fair Play, introduced in this 2024/2025 season. Yet, unpaid salaries, and teams facing financial problems continue to dominate the headlines, even as the ‘professional’ league marks its 10th anniversary this year.
So where’s the enforcement?
It is as lax as motorcyclists riding around in their neighbourhoods without helmets, or motorists using the emergency lane to beat the traffic. Most seem to get away with it – unless a big deal is made out of it on social media. Today’s trend is, it has to be ‘viral’ or ‘meletup’ (explode) before action is taken.
There is also much fixation at the elite level – but hardly any conversations about grassroots development.
Malaysia is desperate to be a world player in many sectors, but it needs to get the basics right first – ensuring there’s proper first-and-last-mile connectivity in our public transportation network, that roads are properly tarred, that public schools (specifically toilets) are well maintained, and that healthcare facilities can accommodate the increasing number of patients as the country becomes an ageing society.
The infrastructure too needs to be refurbished – even in Putrajaya, the nation’s administrative capital.
The same can be said about the nation’s football team. The plans are nothing short of ambitious – to get the national team to qualify for the World Cup – by getting the best foreign expertise from abroad and giving them citizenship, bypassing many others who have been waiting patiently for years for their MyKads. But the conversations remain top-heavy, with little attention being given to the development of the sport at the lower levels, especially among girls.
The plight of Malaysian football is not merely a reflection of the sport itself, but a lens through which we see the country’s socio-economic and political shortcomings.
The problems in Malaysian football are emblematic of the broader struggles that the country faces. Until these underlying issues are addressed, the sport will continue to reflect the state of the nation, with little hope of achieving the recognition we truly deserve.
