Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS Malaysia), through the Office of the Sports Commissioner (PJS), has affirmed its full support for the Independent Special Investigation Committee led by former Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif, emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparent governance in Malaysian football.
In a statement issued by Minister of Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh, KBS confirmed that it will work closely with the independent committee, noting that the findings from Tun Md Raus’ investigation will serve as the foundation for corrective and reform measures that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) must comply with.
However, Hannah Yeoh cautioned that the government must act prudently to avoid any breach of FIFA statutes, which strictly prohibit political or governmental interference in national football associations. Any violation, she warned, could lead to FAM’s suspension by FIFA, resulting in severe consequences for Malaysia’s football ecosystem.
“The government must be cautious because any form of interference could lead to FAM being suspended by FIFA. Such a suspension would not only affect the senior national team but also all age-group teams and other entities such as the Malaysian Football League (MFL), Amateur Football League (AFL), and clubs competing in the Malaysian League,” Hannah stated.
She highlighted that a suspension would have a domino effect, crippling the entire structure of Malaysian football — from grassroots to professional levels.
To illustrate FIFA’s strict stance on independence, Hannah Yeoh cited several international precedents where countries faced suspensions due to government interference:
- Indonesia (2015) – suspended for a year after its Ministry of Youth and Sports froze the national football federation;
- Zimbabwe (2022) – sanctioned when a government-appointed body took control of the national association;
- Chad (2021) – suspended after the government formed a special committee to manage football affairs;
- Benin (2015) and Brunei (2009) – both penalized following court or government involvement in football governance.
These examples, she said, underscore FIFA’s commitment to enforcing Statute 15(c), which mandates that all member associations must remain free from political or governmental influence — a fundamental condition for FIFA membership.
“KBS will continue to balance the need to comply with international regulations and the domestic demand for accountability,” Hannah affirmed. “Our focus is to ensure that FAM strengthens its governance and restores public confidence in the integrity and credibility of Malaysian football.”
The ministry’s stance signals a measured approach — ensuring transparency and justice in the ongoing investigation while safeguarding Malaysia’s international football standing.
Credit Photo : Signexpert
