KUALA LUMPUR — Candidates vying for top posts in the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) must put their cards on the table and tell the football fraternity exactly how they intend to fix the game—not secure power through backroom deals, said local football observer Datuk Pekan Ramli.
Pekan told Scoop that candidates contesting next month’s FAM elections should publicly unveil their manifestos, priorities and measurable key performance indicators (KPIs), giving affiliates a clear basis to decide who deserves their votes.
He said candidates should use the election campaign to demonstrate their leadership capabilities and provide a clear roadmap for Malaysian football, rather than depending on private lobbying to secure support.
“We understand that there is no requirement for FAM candidates to campaign like politicians for elections, but it should be a good practice. We want to see the capabilities of the candidates. We want to know what the candidates bring to the table, what their KPIs are, and what their action plans are.
“A candidate’s campaign or manifesto is a transparent method. If you want to lead FAM, you need to be brave enough to share your plans to lift the organisation from recent controversies.
“We don’t want silent pacts, clandestine meetings, horse trading, instructions and orders from powerful parties happening behind closed doors. The affiliates should be given the opportunity to see what each candidate stands for and what they intend to do if elected,” he told Scoop.
The senior lecturer at UiTM’s Sports Science and Recreation Faculty added that candidates must also address fundamental issues affecting Malaysian football, including grassroots development, financial sustainability and the performance of the national teams.
He said voters should be able to assess candidates based on concrete proposals rather than personalities or influence.
“We want to know how they intend to improve Malaysian football, whether it is through grassroots development, financial stability or raising the standards of our national teams.
“It is not enough to say that you want to lead FAM. You have to tell the football fraternity what you are going to do, how you are going to do it and what results you expect to achieve.
“If you want to lead FAM, you need to be brave enough to share your plans to lift the organisation from recent controversies. The candidates must show that they have a clear direction and are prepared to be accountable for what they promise,” he said.
His call comes as FAM heads towards what is shaping up to be one of its most closely watched elections, following amendments to its statutes approved on June 4.
The changes have reshaped the election by reducing the number of executive committee (exco) positions, lowering the minimum nomination requirement and expanding the pool of affiliate members eligible to vote.
The reforms are expected to trigger multi-cornered contests for several key positions, including the presidency.
Three candidates have so far confirmed their intention to contest the top post — FAM honorary president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin, Malaysian Football League (MFL) president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan, and former FAM executive committee member and Selangor Football Association (FAS) deputy president Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar.
However, the presidential contest remains subject to candidates clearing integrity screening by the FAM election committee, with the process involving the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, police and the Malaysian Department of Insolvency.
The first vice-president’s position is expected to see four candidates, while three nominees are understood to be in contention for the third vice-president’s post.
The second vice-president’s position, meanwhile, is automatically occupied by the MFL president.
Under the revised statutes, seven elected exco positions have also been restructured, with three seats allocated to state football associations, two to clubs, one to a football stakeholder expert and another reserved for a woman representative.
Candidates must also meet FAM’s eligibility requirements, including having at least five years of involvement in football, being a Malaysian resident and being aged 70 or below before they can contest. – August 8, 2026