KUALA LUMPUR — Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar has embraced the underdog tag as he weighs a potential bid for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) presidency, declaring that a vote for him would be a vote for sweeping change within the national football body.
Shahril, who is understood to have received a nomination for the top post, could face higher-profile contenders in FAM honorary president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin and Malaysian Football League (MFL) president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan, who have also reportedly secured nominations.
The Selangor Football Association (FAS) deputy president, however, insisted he was prepared to take on any candidate, although he has yet to make a final decision on whether to contest the election.
Describing himself as an underdog, Shahril said the decision ultimately rests with FAM’s affiliates, who will cast their votes at the association’s electoral congress on September 17.
He said the affiliates were well aware of the issues surrounding Malaysian football, including matters raised in the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) audit report, and should decide whether the time had come for a complete overhaul.
“I have always been the underdog, and I believe I am the underdog in this race too. But ultimately, it is the affiliates who will make the decision on September 17.
“Everyone who will be voting knows what has happened. They know the contents of the AFC audit report and everything surrounding it.
“So, the decision is theirs. If they want comprehensive change, then they should choose someone new. If they feel things should remain as they are, then they can choose from those already in the system.
“As for me, there will be change. That is what I do. Wherever I have worked in the corporate world, my job has always been to clean things up,” he told Scoop when contacted.
Shahril’s comments come as speculation intensifies over who will enter the race for the most powerful position in Malaysian football.
It was previously reported that Shahril had yet to decide whether to accept his nomination, despite receiving backing to contest the presidency.
He said he must first discuss the matter with and seek the blessing of Selangor Crown Prince Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who is also the president of FAS, before deciding whether to enter the contest.
Shahril is not the only potential candidate keeping his cards close to his chest.
Neither Hamidin nor Ab Ghani has officially confirmed whether he will accept or reject his respective nomination for the FAM presidency.
With all three men yet to declare their intentions, the race for the hot seat remains wide open ahead of FAM’s electoral congress on September 17. – August 26, 2026