KUALA LUMPUR — The Selangor and Johor heads of state have reached an understanding to avoid any further disputes over football during an recent meeting at Istana Selangor.
The Selangor Royal Office on Facebook said the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and Johor Crown Prince Tunku Mahkota Ismail, who is the Acting Sultan of Johor, met on October 1 for more than an hour during which they discussed various issues involving the royal institution and football in the country.
“Regarding football, an understanding was reached that there will be no more disputes and quarrels that can invite hostility leading to violence.
“His Majesty reiterated that football is a people’s sport that unites society and should be preserved and maintained as a component in the country’s harmony,” the Selangor Royal Office’s statement said.
On Tunku Mahkota’s Facebook meanwhile, the Johor crown prince said he and Sultan Sharafuddin had agreed during their meeting that all parties must ensure that football rivalry “stays on the pitch only”, while mutual respect and unity must be practiced off the pitch.
Malaysia’s football scene was shocked in recent months over the acid attack on national footballer and Selangor FC winger Faisal Halim in May. His attacker has yet to be found, despite police releasing photofits of the suspects.
Also in May, Johor Darul Ta’zim midfielder Safiq Rahim had his car’s rear windscreen smashed in an altercation with two men in Johor Bahru.
In his meeting with the Johor crown prince, Sultan Sharafuddin also reminded the royal households of all nine Malay Rulers to work together as a team in addressing the people’s problems.
“This is very important because the role of the Malay Rulers in protecting the people’s welfare goes beyond religious issues.”
Sultan Sharafuddin then stressed that members of the royalty show good cultural etiquette in public, including on social media, by highlighting noble values.
“His Majesty also expressed his view that sensitive issues involving the Malay royals not be discussed on social media,” the Selangor Royal Office said. – October 4, 2024