KUALA LUMPUR — It is about time for the Finance Ministry to conduct an audit on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to scrutinise its spending, said sports analyst Sadek Mustaffa.
The senior sports science lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara made these remarks following Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement of a RM15 million allocation for the development of the Harimau Malaya team and the welfare of its players.
Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, said that RM10 million would come from the Finance Ministry, with the remaining RM5 million contributed by private companies.
It was also reported that a senior official from the ministry would be tasked with overseeing the financial management of the initiative to ensure effective governance.
Speaking to Scoop, Sadek argued that it is unfair for FAM to receive such a large allocation compared to other sports and athletes who have brought glory to the nation at prestigious events like the Olympics and Paralympics.
For the record, FAM has already received RM30 million in funding over the past two years.
In January 2022, then-prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob provided FAM with RM10 million for national football development.
In January this year, Anwar announced an additional RM5 million based on the recommendation of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh following the AFC Asian Cup campaign.
“The Finance Ministry may have overlooked this allocation, as FAM has been receiving regular government funds over the past three years. In total, the government has given RM30 million to a sport that has yet to achieve significant results.
“The justification doesn’t make sense—why allocate so much when other sports, like the Paralympic contingent, could benefit more? These athletes have consistently proven themselves.
“I hope the Paralympic athletes receive what they deserve and what they were promised by the Sports Ministry.
“If a sport like football, which hasn’t won any medals, can get back-to-back allocations, what about sports that actually perform? Why are they being given less importance?
“I think it’s time for the Finance Ministry to audit FAM’s expenditures from 2020 to the present, starting with the Asian Cup. They should investigate how the money has been spent, what initiatives have been undertaken, and what programs have been implemented over the years,” Sadek said when contacted.
Meanwhile, another local sports observer, Datuk Pekan Ramli, expressed concerns that FAM does not deserve such a large allocation, citing the risk of taxpayer money being misused if not properly monitored.
“FAM is facing numerous issues, yet they continue to be treated as if they are a national sports association that consistently excels,” Pekan said.
“I’m not entirely convinced about this RM15 million allocation. This is public money—how will it be monitored and ultimately used?
“Integrity and accountability are crucial here. Grants are approved for specific purposes, but misuse—like diverting funds to pay salaries worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of ringgit—could happen.
“This needs to be clarified by FAM because, in the end, despite the funding, it seems unlikely that the performance of the Harimau Malaya squad will improve in the coming years,” added Pekan.
Following the additional allocation, FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin expressed gratitude for the support from the prime minister and pledged that the governing body would present its organisational structure to Anwar upon his return from his official visit to Russia. — September 4, 2024