As the buzz builds ahead of the 47th Asean Summit and the arrival of US President Donald Trump in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow, a different kind of excitement unfolded this afternoon – 30km away in Subang Jaya.
At the Melati Hall in Dorsett Grand Subang, the stage was set with FA of Malaysia (FAM) banners and logos. Yet, only one seat faced the media – reserved for the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Ibrahim.
The scene raised eyebrows, as FAM office bearers, including honorary president Tan Sri Hamidin Amin, sat among the audience instead of at the head table.
The press conference followed a disastrous session at Wisma FAM on Oct 17 – held three weeks after Fifa sanctioned FAM and seven ‘heritage’ footballers over alleged “doctored documentation”. FAM has since appealed the decision, which could see the national team, ranked 118th in the world, lose points from its AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign.
The Subang event, attended by about 30 media personnel and streamed live on JDT’s official Facebook page, was a no-holds-barred affair. Tunku Ismail invited the press to ask freely – and he kept his word.
When asked by Twentytwo13 why he was addressing the media instead of an FAM representative, and in what capacity, the Johor royal replied:
“Why am I here? Because a few months ago FAM wanted my involvement in the national team project. I agreed to help – whether through infrastructure, connections, budget, or anything else that was needed.
“The national team is very dear to us. All the state affiliates and those involved in football in Malaysia must play their roles to assist the national team – from player development and competitive leagues to making better use of sports infrastructure.
“I have no position in FAM, but I’m ready to help. That’s why I’m here.”
Tunku Ismail revealed he had helped FAM secure funding by convincing the government to support the national team. During the 2025 Budget tabling, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim allocated RM15 million, with another RM15 million coming from private sponsors.
Rob Friend, the CEO of the national team, said at the previous press conference that there were three entities involved – Tunku Ismail, the national team, and FAM. He later quickly clarified that FAM was the main governing body.
Tunku Ismail also said he had no knowledge of how the government funding was spent, explaining that the funds were channelled to FAM, and that the national body was the one to whom the personnel within the national team set-up reported.
Asked if there was any formal document defining his role, Tunku Ismail said: “I don’t think I need one. I already have the best football facilities in the country and I’m part of the industry. If the national team needs help, I’ll assist however I can.”
When pressed if his dual role as JDT owner could be seen as a conflict of interest, he responded:
“I don’t think there’s a conflict. Everyone should help FAM – clubs and affiliates alike. What interest can I possibly have in the national team? Getting involved is a burden, not a benefit, because if anything goes wrong, people will blame you. But I’m doing this out of goodwill.”
He also ruled out returning to lead FAM, a post he held from 2017 to 2018.
“I’ve been there before. I can’t be there 24/7 due to my official duties. That’s why we entrusted someone who could manage FAM full-time. At the time, Tan Sri Hamidin did a very good job.
“I have many responsibilities and I’m not interested in returning.”
Addressing the controversy involving the seven players – Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel – who were sanctioned by Fifa’s Disciplinary Committee, Tunku Ismail said dozens of agents had recommended around 27 players.
Only seven qualified for Malaysian citizenship under National Registration Department requirements, he said, adding that he disagreed with FAM’s suspension of secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the technical error.
“Many people were involved in this project – scouting, recruitment, administration. Everyone should share responsibility, including the CEO (Rob Friend). I’m not interested in the blame game. The secretary-general shouldn’t be singled out. We should focus on resolving the issue.”
Clarifying his earlier claim that a complaint had been lodged from New York, Tunku Ismail said the protest regarding Malaysia’s 4-0 win over Vietnam on June 10 came from a party in Vietnam, though the Asian Football Confederation confirmed it was not from the Vietnam FA.
Tunku Ismail also lamented the state of Malaysia’s football industry, saying he had to bail out several teams to keep them in the domestic league.
He acknowledged Malaysia’s chances were slim but said FAM would fight the case to the end while continuing to improve. He noted that the national team’s Fifa ranking had risen in recent months.
Ending on a sardonic note, he said: “If blaming me helps certain people sleep better at night, I accept it with an open heart.”
