KUALA LUMPUR – The death of former Kedah Darul Aman (KDA) coach Rosle Md Derus has thrust Malaysian football’s long-running unpaid salary crisis back into the spotlight, with Football Coaches Association of Malaysia (FCAM) president Datuk Ong Kim Swee calling on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), the Malaysian Football League (MFL) and M-League clubs to take tougher action before another tragedy unfolds.
Rosle, 48, died after suffering a stroke last week. Before his passing, he had revealed that he was owed about RM108,000 in salary and housing allowance arrears after going nine months without receiving his entitlements.
For Kim Swee, Rosle’s death must serve as more than another headline. He said it should be a watershed moment that compels football authorities to strengthen enforcement against clubs that continue to leave coaches, players and support staff waiting months for wages they have rightfully earned.
“On behalf of the coaching fraternity, we extend our deepest condolences to Rosle’s family,” he told Scoop.
“It is heartbreaking whenever a coach, player or member of the support staff is left without wages for such a long period.
“When someone suffers or dies while still waiting to be paid, there will be plenty of sympathy and public discussion. But unless something changes, the same problem will continue to happen.”
Kim Swee said years of discussions had produced little tangible progress, arguing that stronger enforcement and greater accountability are now urgently needed.
“This issue has been talked about for far too long. FAM, MFL and the M-League clubs must be transparent and take real responsibility for resolving it,” he said.
While FCAM continues to assist coaches in pursuing claims through the proper channels, Kim Swee questioned the effectiveness of a system that allows clubs to ignore rulings with little consequence.
“When coaches lodge complaints with us, we follow the proper procedures. But even after the relevant committee delivers its decision, some clubs or their management simply refuse to comply,” he said.
“There have been coaches who won their cases in court but still never received the money owed to them, even after club owners were jailed.
“The process exists, but the enforcement is clearly not strong enough. Coach Sathia followed every procedure, the committee ruled in his favour, but the club eventually folded.”
Kim Swee also cited the case of former national coach B. Sathianathan, who was reportedly owed RM345,000 by Sarawak United before his death from cancer in 2023, saying it highlighted the devastating human cost of the unpaid wage crisis.
Three years later, the outstanding wages have yet to be settled, with the money still owed to Sathianathan’s family.
He warned that prolonged financial uncertainty places immense mental and emotional strain on coaches and their families.
“We also have to think about what their families go through. Coaches live under tremendous pressure and stress, and after months without being paid, their health can begin to deteriorate,” he said.
Although he acknowledged that some clubs are facing financial difficulties, Kim Swee stressed that financial hardship cannot be used as an excuse to abandon contractual obligations.
“We understand some clubs are facing financial difficulties, but that does not mean they can simply walk away from their responsibilities. They cannot be allowed to shut down and leave people unpaid,” he said.
He pointed to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and Selangor as examples of financially responsible clubs, while also praising lower-budget sides such as Negri Sembilan and Melaka for operating within their means.
“M-League clubs should emulate JDT and Selangor, which have not faced unpaid salary issues.
“Even clubs with smaller budgets like Negri Sembilan and Melaka have shown that it is possible to spend responsibly and remain realistic.”
Kim Swee also urged coaches facing salary issues not to wait until the situation becomes critical before seeking assistance.
“We hope coaches facing unpaid wages will come to FCAM immediately. Don’t wait for months. Write to us as soon as the problem arises,” he said.
“We do not want another case like this.” – July 22, 2026