Football Association of Malaysia (Football Association of Malaysia (FAM)) has officially introduced a major overhaul of its membership and voting structure following the approval of amendments to the FAM Statute 2026 during the First Extraordinary FAM Congress held on 4 June 2026.
The landmark reform is set to significantly reshape the governance landscape of Malaysian football, expanding representation across the entire football ecosystem and providing a stronger voice to clubs and stakeholders throughout the national football pyramid.
Under the previous structure, FAM consisted of only 20 affiliated members. Following the approved amendments, the total number of affiliated members can now increase to as many as 39, making the federation considerably more inclusive than before.
The revised statute reflects FAM’s ambition to modernize its governance model and align more closely with international football administration standards by broadening participation in decision-making processes.
Previously viewed as a relatively exclusive structure dominated by state associations, the new framework opens the door for professional clubs, futsal representatives, women’s football organizations, players, and referees to become part of FAM’s official membership base.
Under the revised structure, the 39 affiliated members eligible to participate in FAM governance and elections are divided as follows
The traditional backbone of Malaysian football remains the largest voting bloc with 14 members:
- Johor
- Kedah
- Kelantan
- Melaka
- Negeri Sembilan
- Pahang
- Perak
- Perlis
- Pulau Pinang
- Sabah
- Sarawak
- Selangor
- Terengganu
- Kuala Lumpur
However, out of the 14 states, 12 will have voting rights, with the exception of the Kelantan FA, and Perlis FA, which are banned by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
For the first time, all Malaysia Super League clubs are eligible to become affiliated members, collectively holding 12 votes.
This move significantly increases the influence of professional clubs in shaping the future direction of Malaysian football.
- AFL A1 League Clubs – 2 votes
- AFL A2 League Club – 1 vote
Women’s and Futsal Football
- National Women’s League (LWN) – 1 vote
- Malaysian Premier Futsal League (MPFL) – 1 vote
Institutional and Stakeholder Members
- Armed Forces (ATM) – 1 vote
- Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) – 1 vote
- Malaysian Chinese Football Association (MCFA) – 1 vote
- Malaysian Indian Sports Council (MISC) – 1 vote
- Johor Football Association Veterans/Related Body (PJBM) – 1 vote
- Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) – 1 vote
- Referees Association – 1 vote
The move is expected to create a more balanced and representative voting system, ensuring that key stakeholders involved in the daily development of Malaysian football have a direct voice in shaping the future of the sport.
One of the most significant aspects of the reform is the inclusion of clubs from multiple competitive levels.
For the first time, professional and semi-professional clubs across different leagues will have an opportunity to become affiliated members within the national governing structure, strengthening the connection between grassroots development, domestic competitions, and national football administration.
The inclusion of representatives from women’s football and futsal also signals FAM’s commitment to developing all sectors of the game rather than focusing solely on the men’s professional structure.
Another notable development is the recognition of both PFAM and the referees’ association as potential affiliated members.
This move gives players and match officials a formal platform within the federation’s governance structure, allowing perspectives from two of football’s most important stakeholder groups to be represented during future policy discussions and strategic planning.
The reform mirrors governance models increasingly adopted by leading football federations worldwide, where players, clubs, referees, and competition stakeholders are granted greater participation in decision-making processes.
The 2026 statute amendments represent one of the most substantial governance reforms undertaken by FAM in recent years.
By potentially increasing affiliated membership from 20 to 39 entities, the federation aims to create a more democratic, transparent, and representative football administration system capable of supporting the continued growth of Malaysian football at all levels.
As Malaysian football continues its professional evolution, the expanded voting structure could play a pivotal role in shaping future policies, league development strategies, grassroots initiatives, and national team ambitions in the years ahead.
Credit Photo : Simon Yap/SNE-Photo
