KUALA LUMPUR – Former youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin shuts down rumours of him taking over as the new Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president but agrees that a change is needed in the football governing body.
The current executive lineup will end their tenure next year and an election will be held to determine the office bearers for the next five years from 2025 until 2029.
Earlier, it was reported that Khairy was in the running to take over from current president Datuk Hamidin Amin once his tenure ends next year.
However, today, Khairy put a full stop to the rumours, saying that he did not know how and why talks about him going for the top post in FAM emerged.
“It had not crossed my mind to return to FAM. I was a deputy president once and I think there are more capable candidates to take over.
“The president post in FAM is a very hands-on role. Even though the general secretary is the one who carries out the day-to-day duties, because of the focus that football garners, the number one person needs to be very involved.
“Right now I don’t have the time to be in charge of FAM,” Khairy told reporters at the Battle of the Reds press conference today.
The Battle of the Reds will see Liverpool legends take on Manchester United legends at Bukit Jalil National Stadium tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Khairy admitted that he personally feels that there is a need for a change in FAM, adding that the current executive board had done their job but to progress further, a change is necessary.
“I would like to see someone from outside sports take the hot seat at FAM. Maybe someone from the corporate world. An individual from the corporate world will commit to proper management and governance.
“I don’t want to fault the current management but their management and governance could be improved,” added Khairy.
He further states that with good management, leadership, vision and execution, the performance of Harimau Malaya can be taken to a new level. – April 26, 2024