KUALA LUMPUR – Former acting president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi, has raised questions over whether Selangor FC chief executive Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon’s decision to publicly air concerns about the domestic league is politically motivated ahead of upcoming elections.
Speaking to Scoop, Yusoff said the timing and manner of Johan’s remarks had raised eyebrows within football circles, adding that it was important to question whether there were any underlying motivations beyond the stated call for reform.
“Is this linked to the FAM elections? Is it because a representative from the Selangor Football Association has expressed interest in contesting for the presidency, and this is an early move to build influence and gain support?” he asked.
Yusoff’s remarks are in response to Johan’s recent call for a roundtable discussion to address mounting issues in the Malaysia League (M-League), particularly financial strain affecting clubs.
While acknowledging the concerns raised, Yusoff questioned the decision to take the matter into the public domain instead of utilising established platforms such as board meetings, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) and the MFL Congress.
“He is not new to the system; he knows the proper channels. If the intention is truly to improve the situation, why not use them?” Yusoff said.
“Once you choose to go public, it is no longer merely a professional opinion. It opens the door to broader and more questionable perceptions.”
He also described the timing of Johan’s statement as unusual, suggesting it raises more questions than answers in an already tense football landscape.
“Why now? That is the most fundamental question. It appears as though he is trying to introduce a negative narrative into an already fragile environment,” he added.
Johan’s proposal has nonetheless gained traction, with several clubs — including Penang FC, Negeri Sembilan FC, Terengganu FC and Kuching City FC — indicating their willingness to participate in discussions aimed at safeguarding the league’s future.
Twelve-time consecutive Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) have also welcomed the idea, while proposing that supporters’ groups be included in the conversation.
Despite the support, Yusoff cautioned that raising such matters publicly could be interpreted as an attempt to exert indirect pressure on the MFL while shaping a narrative favourable to certain parties.
“When issues are taken outside, people will question whether this is an attempt to mask internal shortcomings,” he said.
“Facts remain — during his tenure at Selangor FC, the senior team has yet to secure a major trophy. That cannot be erased with rhetoric.”
He warned of a growing tendency to build momentum externally, describing it as a move that risks drawing others into a broader, possibly coordinated effort.
“This is no longer a simple critique. There are signs of a structured push from the outside.
“The danger is that it could create division and undermine the stability of the league,” he said.
Yusoff stressed that any genuine effort to reform Malaysian football must be pursued through professional and recognised channels, rather than through what he described as open “drama” that raises more questions than solutions.
“If the intention is sincere, use the platforms that are already in place and not seek cheap attention.
“For the past decade, why the silence? Why speak up only now? That is what people will judge,” he added.
Scoop has reached out to Johan for a response to the allegations, but has yet to receive a reply at the time of publication. – April 13, 2026