KUALA LUMPUR – The incoming Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) leadership must prioritise rebuilding Malaysian football at the grassroots level instead of focusing solely on managing the association, said Youth and Sports Minister Dr Taufiq Johari.
With FAM set for a leadership change on Sept 17, Taufiq said discussions on government funding for football should be centred on producing better players and enhancing development programmes from the grassroots upwards.
His remarks followed Football Association of Selangor deputy president Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar’s claim that FAM’s 2025 audited financial statements showed RM2.58 million had been spent on fines.
Shahril is among two candidates contesting the FAM presidency, alongside Malaysian Football League president Datuk Ghani Hassan, in the upcoming election.
Taufiq said the ministry would continue engaging with stakeholders on sports funding to ensure allocations were used to develop football rather than merely cover administrative and operational expenses.
“We will continue discussions to ensure that the funds are not merely for the association or its development.
“More importantly, the funds should be channelled towards improving grassroots development, such as through the National Football Development Programme (NFDP) and other programmes that can improve the quality of football at grassroots level,” he told reporters after taking part in the Oxyenergy Media Prima Merdeka Run 2026 at Balai Berita, Bangsar, today.
However, Taufiq stressed that the choice of FAM’s next president was a matter for the association’s delegates, adding that the ministry would not interfere in its internal affairs.
“I leave it to FAM and all the delegates to make the best decision,” he said.
“Whatever the outcome, the ministry cannot interfere in the affairs of sports associations. However, I hope that the new committee elected will be one that can do its best for Malaysian football.”
He added that the ministry remained committed to discussions on sports funding, but stressed that allocations must deliver tangible results, including better development pathways and opportunities for young footballers.
The FAM election on Sept 17 is expected to mark a new chapter for the association after incumbent president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin decided against seeking another term.
Shahril and Ghani are the two candidates vying for the top post, with the winner set to take charge at a crucial time for Malaysian football. – September 13, 2026