KUALA LUMPUR – The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is ready to take stern action against certain quarters attempting to topple the current management and tarnish the image of the governing body.
It was reported that a poison-pen letter in the form of an email went viral on social media, raising issues allegedly related to the leadership and management of FAM.
The four main allegations concern abuse of power by FAM’s secretary-general (Datuk Noor Azman Rahman), salaries and benefits of staff, issues involving the Harimau Malaya squad, and the National Training Centre project.
FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said that a police report will be filed regarding the source of the email, working together with the Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“FAM is also ready for an investigation to be conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) based on the allegations made.
“It’s clearly evident that there are several parties, whether within or outside the governing body, purposely trying to stir up something to topple the leadership of this progressive association.
“We deny the allegations made regarding how we manage the association. There is not even one instance where we have misused our funds or done whatever was written in the email against us.
“All matters involving finance in FAM are in accordance with the FAM statute and the standard operating procedures (SOP) that have been set, which require them to go through the respective committees before being brought to the FAM executive committee for approval,” said Hamidin, when met at Dorsett Grand Subang during FAM’s 60th annual congress.
At the same time, Hamidin also said that the governing body is ready to take some of the criticisms made towards its secretary-general into consideration.
“We will definitely try to polish things better with Azman. Maybe these allegations were made because they think that he’s not progressive or responsive enough… I don’t know about that.
“But from the governing body as a whole, we are always ready to improve ourselves and ensure that we refine ourselves as members of this association.
“We can improve, but that doesn’t mean that people have to slander us with such personal allegations. This is something that is not right and needs to be stopped,” Hamidin added.
A report on the poison-pen letter will also be sent to the FAM Integrity Committee, an independent body chaired by Tan Sri Dr Aseh Haji Che Mat. – April 1, 2024