KUALA LUMPUR — Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) owner, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, recently praised Erick Thohir, chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), for his exemplary leadership in improving Indonesian football.
According to the Johor Regent, Erick’s influence has brought significant advancements to the sport in Indonesia, bolstering infrastructure, strengthening the league, and elevating the national team’s performance.
“Erick Thohir has the financial resources, knowledge, international connections, and passion. That’s why Indonesian football is (progressing with better) infrastructure, a (stronger) league, and a (more competitive) national team,” Tunku Ismail said in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter).
This praise for Erick stands in sharp contrast to Tunku Ismail’s criticism of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
He accused several FAM officials of lacking vision, commitment, and the necessary expertise to uplift Malaysian football, which he claims has stagnated due to ineffective leadership.
In his series of responses on X, Tunku Ismail expressed frustration over FAM affiliates and members who repeatedly elect officials he feels are not equipped to lead the sport forward.
The Johor Crown Prince also highlighted the persistent challenges within Malaysian football, such as clubs struggling with financial mismanagement and failing to pay player salaries.
He noted that these issues stem from poor leadership, as “some individuals overspend beyond their budgets and blame the league or national football authorities” when problems arise.
Tunku Ismail urged FAM leaders to take responsibility for managing club budgets more effectively, adding that a lack of negotiation skills should not be excused at the expense of player welfare.
Tunku Ismail’s remarks came in response to a fan, @OnefootballM, who questioned why certain FAM officials, including Datuk Yusoff Mahadi and Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, hold positions—deputy president and secretary-general, respectively—despite their alleged mismanagement at the club level.
The Crown Prince did not mince words in his reply, underscoring his view that FAM leadership has failed to address the root issues affecting Malaysian football.
He previously clarified that while he has no intention of rejoining FAM directly, he is open to collaboration if the organisation aligns with his vision for reform.
“I will not join FAM. FAM will join me,” Tunku Ismail asserted, suggesting that the onus is on FAM to seek positive change rather than maintain ineffective practices.
Tunku Ismail, popularly known as TMJ, was appointed FAM president on March 25, 2017, but stepped down a year later.
Despite stepping away from an official role, he has continued to advocate for improvements within Malaysian football. — November 3, 2024
