KUALA LUMPUR – Former president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin, is reportedly considering a return to the top post, as insiders say he is determined to safeguard his landmark F:30 programme and restore the credibility of the national team following a turbulent period in Malaysian football.
Sources close to FAM reveal that Hamidin, who currently serves as FAM’s honorary president, is increasingly concerned that the ambitious F:30 initiative – launched in 2018 to develop football nationwide, professionalise FAM, and raise the national team’s competitive standards could falter if it falls into inexperienced hands during the forthcoming election.
“Hamidin is deeply committed to the F:30 programme. He believes there is still so much work to be done, and he does not want the momentum to be lost or the vision diluted under new leadership,” the source told Scoop.
“He sees the upcoming election as a critical juncture. The association cannot afford inexperienced leadership at this moment. There is unfinished business, both on and off the pitch, and he is determined to see the F:30 programme through to completion.
“Beyond the programme, he is also concerned about the national team’s image. The eligibility scandal has tarnished Malaysian football, and decisive leadership is required to restore integrity, credibility, and public confidence. He feels it is his duty to step in and guide FAM back on track.”
Hamidin, who served as FAM president from 2018 to February 2025, was instrumental in one of Malaysian football’s most celebrated achievements: qualifying Harimau Malaya for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, ending a 42-year wait. This success came under head coach Kim Pan-gon, whom Hamidin appointed to enhance the national team’s competitiveness.
“His leadership brought structure, vision, and professionalism. He knows how to build not just a team, but an entire system of development from the grassroots to the national level,” the source added.
Launched in 2018, the F:30 initiative is a long-term programme aimed at developing Malaysian football, professionalising FAM, and expanding the association’s brand. Its second phase, running from 2023 to 2026, seeks to place Harimau Malaya among Asia’s top five teams.
However, Malaysian football has faced major setbacks in recent months. FAM came under scrutiny after fielding ineligible players in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, resulting in match forfeitures and a six-point deduction by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
The scandal drew widespread criticism and was followed by a mass resignation of the FAM executive committee, throwing the association into turmoil.
“The eligibility issue did more than cost points as it dented our credibility internationally,” the source said.
“Hamidin believes the association must take bold steps to restore trust. This is not just about governance; it’s about showing the world that Malaysian football can operate with professionalism and integrity.”
The AFC has since launched a comprehensive administrative assessment of FAM’s governance structures, delaying elections until the process is complete.
The next FAM presidential election will take place after the AFC assessment and before the 2026 World Cup. AFC secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor John has clarified to Scoop there is “no basis to block” former FAM executive committee members, including those who resigned, from contesting once the assessment is concluded.
“Hamidin is watching closely. He understands the timing, the stakes, and the responsibilities. He does not want F:30 to fall into the wrong hands.
“He believes his experience with FIFA, the AFC, and local football administration makes him uniquely qualified to guide FAM through this turbulent period, safeguard the programme’s objectives, and rebuild the national team’s image.
“There is still much to be done,” the source said. “F:30 is not finished. The team’s reputation needs fixing. The association’s governance needs oversight.
“Hamidin believes he is the right person to deliver all of this. It’s about completing the vision he started and making sure Malaysian football is respected again,” the source added. – March 31, 2026