KUALA LUMPUR — Former Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) presidential candidate Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar has accepted his defeat in the association’s election, but urged the new leadership to change the way it operates despite being made up largely of familiar faces.
Shahril, who is also the Selangor Football Association (FAS) deputy president, said about 95% of the newly elected FAM leadership comprised existing figures, making it essential for the administration to adopt a different working approach for the betterment of Malaysian football.
“My hope is one thing. Even though we see that 95 per cent are old faces, I hope the way they work must change for the sake of Malaysian football,” Shahril told Scoop.
He said the priority should be to improve FAM’s operations, ensure past mistakes are not repeated and restore the stature of Malaysian football.
Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan defeated Shahril at yesterday’s FAM extraordinary congress in Petaling Jaya to become the association’s ninth president.
Ab Ghani secured 20 of the 25 votes cast to win the presidency.
Shahril said he accepted the delegates’ decision and had no intention of challenging the election result, despite questions raised before the congress over the eligibility of election committee chairman Prof Datuk Dr Abdullah Mohamad Said.
“No, I will not challenge the congress decision. For the sake of the spirit of football, I will not do so.
“My hope is that they do their work properly, raise the stature of Malaysian football, do it sincerely and do not repeat the old mistakes,” he said.
Shahril also stressed that his defeat would not affect his commitment to Malaysian football, with his focus remaining on his responsibilities at FAS and Selangor FC.
“My heart is in football. I am not going anywhere. I am still with FAS and Selangor FC.
“The delegates have made their decision, so we have to respect it,” he said.
Before the congress, it was reported that Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John, who presided over the meeting, said the congress could proceed despite a letter from FAS questioning Abdullah’s eligibility.
Windsor said an appeal could be lodged if delegates raised objections over any potential irregularity involving the appointment of the election committee chairman.
With the election now concluded, Shahril said the focus should shift to the new administration’s performance and its ability to deliver meaningful changes through the way it runs FAM. — September 18, 2026