The Crown Prince of Johor and owner of Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), HRH Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, has voiced his deep disappointment over what he describes as a continued failure by certain parties in Malaysian football to appreciate the club’s extraordinary achievements.
In a strongly worded message posted on his Instagram Story, Tunku Ismail lashed out at outdated mindsets within the local football ecosystem, suggesting that JDT has far outgrown the structure and mentality of Malaysian football.
“We are being held back by fools who can’t tell the difference. Twelve years of breaking records and making history on and off the pitch – and yet they’re still blind to it,” he stated bluntly.
The outspoken JDT owner declared that the domestic football scene remains stuck in a regressive mindset, obsessed with past glories instead of embracing modern development and consistent performance like that of JDT.
“Malaysian football doesn’t deserve JDT. They should return to their outdated mindset — that local-born players matter more, that the Malaysia Cup is more important than the league, and that the AFC Cup should be ignored,” Tunku Ismail added, in a sharp rebuke to football traditionalists.
His remarks reflect growing frustration with those who continue to undermine JDT’s progress or refuse to acknowledge the club’s leadership in both domestic and Asian football.
Tunku Ismail also took a swipe at critics who appear uncomfortable with JDT’s consistent dominance and international recognition, implying that many in Malaysian football are simply unaccustomed to sustained success.
“They’re not used to it,” he said sarcastically, referring to the club’s decade-long run of triumphs that has included revolutionizing management, infrastructure, and youth development.
Emphasizing JDT’s track record, Tunku Ismail reiterated that data and results speak for themselves. Under his leadership, JDT has transformed from a struggling state team to a regional powerhouse.
“We are too fast and too far ahead of them. Facts never lie,” he concluded.
The Southern Tigers have also set benchmarks in areas like club facilities, youth academy development, commercial growth, and fan engagement — a model still unmatched in Malaysian football.
