KUALA LUMPUR – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has urged Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) affiliates not to overreact to discussions surrounding the honorary president’s post, stressing that it merely suggested reviewing the position rather than recommending its outright abolition.
Speaking to Scoop, AFC secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John said the continental governing body had only raised concerns over the relevance of honorary president roles in modern football governance and left the final decision entirely to FAM’s Congress delegates.
His clarification comes after several FAM affiliates publicly defended the position amid reports that it could be removed under proposed amendments to the association’s statutes, which will be tabled at tomorrow’s extraordinary congress.
“What we said was that AFC recommended looking at the position because, in modern football, it is not something that is necessary anymore,” Windsor said when contacted.
“However, because this position was only created at the last congress, we said to leave it there and allow the delegates to decide. It is entirely up to FAM.”
Windsor said AFC’s reservations were not directed at incumbent honorary president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin, but stemmed from concerns that the role could create governance complications in the future.
According to him, honorary president positions have largely disappeared from football governing bodies, including AFC and FIFA, with many organisations opting instead for ceremonial patron roles.
He said the position could potentially create succession issues when future FAM presidents leave office while a serving honorary president remains in place.
“Today, it works because the affiliates want Hamidin there and everyone is comfortable with him. We understand that,” he said.
“But what happens when another president serves two terms and leaves office? The current honorary president may still be there. Then who becomes honorary president? The outgoing president may also want the role.
“That is where you start creating unnecessary issues within an association.”
Nevertheless, Windsor acknowledged that many affiliates support retaining the post because of Hamidin’s long service to Malaysian football.
Earlier, Penang Football Association president Mohd Azizudin Mohd Shariff told Scoop that the role should be preserved as the highest form of recognition for individuals who have made significant contributions to football administration, adding that provisions relating to the position remain in the proposed constitutional amendments.
Meanwhile, Melaka Football Association deputy president Datuk Mohd Saiful Mat Sapri also told Scoop that Hamidin’s appointment had already been approved by congress and stressed that the honorary president’s role continues to be recognised within the draft statutes prepared with AFC’s guidance.
He cautioned against interpreting the proposed reforms as an attempt to overturn decisions previously endorsed by congress.
Despite the debate, Windsor maintained that the issue was relatively minor compared with other governance reforms under consideration.
“This is not a do-or-die article in the statutes,” he said.
“If FAM feels it works for them, then fine. Congress can decide. AFC has no issue with that.”
He added that proposals involving club membership and the composition of FAM’s executive committee would have a far greater impact on the organisation’s future governance structure.
FAM delegates are expected to vote on the proposed statutory amendments at the extraordinary congress tomorrow. – June 3, 2026