The 53rd FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) elections will be taking place this this Saturday, 25th of March, to determine landscape of Malaysian football over the next four years.
The two prime candidates contesting for the post of FAM President are the Johor Crown Prince and Johor Darul Ta’zim boss, Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, and former Kelantan FA president Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
Just days before the big day, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, or TMJ, has unveiled a comprehensive manifesto on the official Johor Southern Tigers page.
Themed “Bola sepak Adalah Milik Rakyat”, or “Football Belongs to the People”, TMJ has delineated a detailed manifesto, and it goes like this:
“FOOTBALL BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE”
1. Ensure that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is not used for political mileage
• Ensuring that football doesn’t fall into the hands of people who would use the game for political reasons.
• Ensuring that FAM isn’t used as a financial hub to distribute money for political campaigns.
• All of us, including myself, have suffered for 31 years now. If the position of President falls into the wrong hands, we will all suffer for another 30 years. The position of FAM President should never be used as a platform for politicians to campaign for the elections.
2. Cultural change throughout Malaysian football. Completely overhaul the FAM, which has been in the doldrums for three decades.
• In the past, stakeholders may not have understood or even been aware about certain decisions and future plans about football. But as President, as I have done so successfully at JDT, I can help by relaying the messages and plans directly to the people through my nationwide fan consultation seminars. As the new FAM President, the culture will change.
• I will have FAM Exco meetings all over the country on a rotational basis, with Sabah being earmarked to be the first venue. Currently the committee meetings are held exclusively at Wisma FAM. The change is designed to give the committee the opportunity to witness what is actually happening around the country, a chance to monitor the facilities, grassroots programs, finances and standards at respective Football Associations (FAs) or clubs. It’s during these visits that the fan consultation sessions will be held to give all stakeholders a chance to voice their opinions, concerns or grievances. This is the people’s game!
• This is an opportunity to change the face of the local football scene, whereby many Malaysians have been demanding reforms for the past 30 years.
• As President, i will bridge the gap between Malaysian football and its fans as there is a need to provide fans the opportunity to play a bigger role in the process of growing the game.
• There will be a requirement for state FAs and clubs to engage fans, like has been happening at JDT. This is why as President, I will work closely with all state FAs to help change the mentality.
3. Governance and Administrative reform – changing the structure of the national body
• I will ensure that the problems that everyone continuously speaks about in FAM – mismanagement of funds, lack of professionalism, integrity issues, lack of passion, corruption and favouritism – will be corrected. A lot of people have expressed their unhappiness at how FAM is structured. A lot of questions are being asked of FAM’s top management.
• The first correction that will be to address the problem of the management and decision -making structure within Malaysian football. FAM’s structure will be revamped in order to meet the current modern demands of the footballing world.
• As President, I will ensure that governance and administrative reforms are undertaken at all levels so that the game provides the Governance infrastructure to support the game’s growth and potential.
4. Amend the constitution
• I will work with the Exco members to amend the FAM constitution to ensure that supporters have the power to elect the president instead of congress members. Football belongs to the people and I believe that the people should choose the President instead of the current congress.
• I will facilitate a move away from the President being elected only by affiliates and will move to propose that in the future, fans and the public will be empowered to be the deciding factor.
• The congress can choose all other posts but for such a crucial role as the FAM President, this should be up to the people.
• The role of FAM President is not a dictatorship, but an opportunity for us all to change our football so that our grandchildren can be thankful. I am here to serve, leave a legacy and provide an organisational structure that will lead to Malaysian football awakening from its slumber.
5. Increase the commercial value of the Super League and Premier League
• Revenue from television broadcasting rights as well as internet and mobile communication partnerships are major contributors to the development of football in all top football nations in the world, unfortunately this is not the case here in Malaysia. There is huge potential in Malaysia but integrity issues alongside 30 years of mismanagement has resulted in this lucrative market seeking investment opportunities in other countries.
• Under my leadership, there will be strategies and policies implemented to ensure that we remove the integrity issues and introduce the world’s best practice professionalism and management in all aspects of the national competition.
• This is not only to produce a better product but for the purpose of gaining trust from those multi national and/or local companies who are waiting to invest in our game.
6. Game Development – Whole of Malaysia Football Development Program
• A licensing requirement to be that every team in the Super League is to have an Academy and youth development program in line with the FMLLP and FAM Technical Department guidelines.
• The establishment of a nationwide competition structure for each Academy program.
• The establishment of a clearly defined nationwide talented player development pathway. This is to ensure a seamless journey for the country’s young talented players throughout their football development.
• The establishment of a clearly defined nationwide talented coach development pathway. This pathway to include a scholarship professional development program for identified coaches
• I, as FAM President will facilitate more effective links between clubs and schools in the development of players and coaches at school.
• The establishment of a National Futsal Development Plan that will focus on a more effective integration with the national young player development program. I will work with all stakeholders to encourage closer links between outdoor football and Futsal teams and Futsal centres.
• To work with the respective government departments to identify strategies and activities that will ensure that people with disabilities can become more involved in football. I will ensure that FAM establishes strong links with disability organisations.
• I will work with stakeholders to ensure that all women and girls are provided with more support and opportunities to participate in football.
7. Global Approach To The Development of Football In Malaysia : International Expertise And Succession Planning
• There is a saying in football that the moment you stand still in football development you will be left behind. The current state of our National team reflects the past 30 years of standing still and living in the past.
• While we have been standing still, the likes of Japan, South Korea, Australia and Thailand have progressed significantly. We all remember the days when we could compete on par with these countries but sadly this is no longer the case.
• We have talented young players and coaches in Malaysia but what they all need is a similar development pathway that the top football nations are providing. This includes amongst other aspects coach education, appropriate youth development programs and the necessary competition environment.
• Under my Presidency, I will first collectively acknowledge where we are compared to our competitors and what needs to be done to start moving again.
• At JDT, I started this process by collaboration with some of the top football organisations from around the world and under my leadership, this current blueprint will be shared and then I will work together with all stakeholders to implement a nationwide blueprint.
• This initially involves foreign expertise but will be a part of the master plan – a succession plan similar to what Japan and Australia have implemented with great success. The majority of their key coaching and technical roles are now occupied by locals.
8. National Team Restructure
• National team to have a management structure with its own CEO that reports directly to thr President. No involvement from Deputy Presidents or Secretary General.
9. Referee Development
• Match officials in football in Malaysia make an important contribution to the game, like coaches, it is vital that football attracts and supports their training and development in order for them to officiate effectively. Coaches and their support staff are employed full time in the game for obvious reasons. I will conduct a major review of refereeing in Malaysia and establish a process where our referees can also have a viable full time career in match officiating.
10. Facilities
• Lack of appropriate facilities and the management of nationwide facilities is a key challenge for football development in Malaysia.
• I, as President will work together with all stakeholders to ensure the nation’s facilities support the technical development of the game under my leadership.
11. Hands On Approach
• As President of FAM, my priority will not only be focused on the national team, but just as you’re all witnessing at JDT, the entire football structure is what needs to be revamped.
• I will be a very hands on President and every leadership and knowledge will greatly assist all stakeholders during this important change process.
TMJ also confidently noted that Malaysians have witnessed first-hand over the past four years the success and progress of JDT under the Crown Prince’s leadership, now it’s time push this success and progress to the national level.
Meanwhile, this is what have from Tan Sri Annuar Musa…
While we do have a “Dare To Dream” manifesto from Tan Sri Annuar Musa, the details are mostly in short forms and very generic.
He did note that he will elaborate more “bulan depan”, which is supposedly March, and we hope he comes up with his detailed manifesto very soon as there are only two days left for the elections!
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