KUALA LUMPUR — The Crown Prince of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, is unlikely to run for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) presidency, according to Selangor FA deputy president Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar.
Shahril’s remarks address rumours linking Tengku Amir to the FAM presidency, suggesting a potential return of royalty to the post since 2018.
The last royal to hold the position was the Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim who served from 2017 to 2018 before handing over to Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin, FAM’s first president without a royal or political background since its inception in 1933.
In a brief statement to Scoop, Shahril said Tengku Amir currently has no intention of contesting for the presidency.
However, the 51-year-old former chief executive officer of Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) added that if Tengku Amir does develop an interest, he will make an announcement.
“I can’t comment much on Tengku’s future plans, but for now, the chances of him contesting for the role are very low. His current focus is on Selangor FC,” said Shahril when contacted.
Tengku Amir, the youngest and only son of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has chaired Selangor FC since 2016 and is the largest shareholder of Red Giants FC Sdn Bhd.
Shahril also confirmed he has no plans to run for the FAM presidency, citing his commitment to Selangor FC.
He previously served on the FAM executive committee for the 2021-2025 term and chaired the sponsorship and marketing committee but resigned after Sultan Sharafuddin expressed displeasure with the Malaysia Football League’s (MFL) and FAM’s handling of the acid attack on Selangor winger Faisal Halim in May.
The FAM election congress for the 2025-2029 term is scheduled for next year. — September 20, 2024