KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said he was not offended by recent comments from Khairy Jamaluddin.
Instead, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president said he respected the opinion of the former youth and sports minister and was open to criticism.
Talking to the media last week, Khairy distanced himself from rumours that he is interested in contesting for the presidency of the national football body but admits that change is needed at FAM.
“Whatever I do, it cannot stray from FAM’s statute and constitution. Anyone can contest for whatever position. I don’t mind and am open to the challenge, and so is FAM.
“I’m open to criticisms – I accept it from netizens and take note of the good ones. Many more have criticised me for issues like the under-23 team’s performance and the poison pen letter issue.
“As long as I hold this post, I have to be open to criticism. What’s important is that I don’t involve myself in any wrongdoings and keep doing this job for the betterment of national football.
“When the time comes, if there is an election to choose a new president, we will go through that process according to FAM’s statute,” he said after the Olympic Council of Malaysia’s 209th executive council meeting today.
Regarding Harimau Muda’s performance at the U-23 Asian Cup in Qatar, Hamidin awaits a report from technical director Scott O’Donnell and coach Juan Torres Garrido.
He anticipates the completion of the report this week, followed by a prompt meeting to assess the team’s overall performance.
Malaysia lost all three games against Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Kuwait, finishing bottom of Group D with zero points. – April 29, 2024