Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has officially appointed former Chief Justice of Malaysia, Tun Md Raus Sharif, as the Chairman of an independent committee tasked with investigating the documentation controversy involving seven Harimau Malaya heritage players who were handed a 12-month suspension by FIFA.
The appointment marks a significant step by FAM in ensuring that the probe into the high-profile case is conducted with fairness, transparency, and professionalism, free from any internal influence.
The establishment of the independent body was first announced by FAM Deputy President Dato’ S. Sivasundaram during a press conference on 17 October 2025, where he emphasized that no FAM officials would be involved in the investigation process.
FAM’s move aims to restore public confidence following FIFA’s disciplinary ruling, which alleged documentation irregularities in the naturalization process of seven Malaysian heritage players. The governing body has since appealed the decision, with a verdict expected later this month.
Tun Md Raus brings with him nearly five decades of experience in the legal and judicial field. He began his career in Malaysia’s Judicial and Legal Service in 1976, holding key positions including Magistrate, President of the Sessions Court, Deputy Public Prosecutor, and Legal Adviser for the states of Melaka and Kelantan, as well as the Ministries of International Trade, Defence, and Home Affairs.
He was appointed Judicial Commissioner in 1994, High Court Judge in 1996, and later President of the Court of Appeal before reaching the pinnacle of his career as Chief Justice of Malaysia in 2017.
On the international stage, Tun Md Raus has served as President of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions and is an active member of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ), contributing to legal cooperation and dialogue across the region.
FAM expressed full confidence in Tun Md Raus’s ability to lead a comprehensive and impartial review of the case. The independent committee will be composed of members selected by Tun Md Raus himself, ensuring that each member brings relevant expertise and credibility to the investigation.
“Given Tun Md Raus’s distinguished career and his impeccable record of integrity, FAM is confident that he and his team will carry out a meticulous and transparent investigation to uncover the full facts behind this issue,” FAM stated in its official release.
Credit Photo : BERNAMA
