Six nominations now needed to contest FAM president's post

PETALING JAYA, July 13 (Bernama) -- There will be no easy passage for aspirants of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president's post in the future after the national football governing body today agreed to amend its constitution to now require at least six nominations to qualify as a candidate. 

The amendment under Article 27(4) involves restructuring and adding new articles in line with changes adopted by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the International Football Federation (FIFA), FAM deputy president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said. 

This includes candidacy for the deputy president post, with prospective candidates now needing a minimum of five nominations, and the vice-president and executive committee members positions, where four and two nominations are needed respectively.

“We (FAM) feel the need for the president and the deputy posts not to be arbitrarily contested. I think the person who has six nominations for the post of president and five nominations for the deputy president post, must mostly be those who are active. 

“We do not want candidates who out of the blue put their bids to contest just because it is open to all Malaysians. Not only from the affiliates," he told a press conference the conclusion of FAM's 55th Annual Congress here today.

According to Mohd Yusoff, the decision will put FAM in a more respected position as the amendment will see only qualified individuals capable of leading the governing body get elected. 

“The amendments could streamline FAM's administration by having more integrity as well as create clear separation of powers between FAM and its affiliates,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Congress today saw Datuk Kamarul Ariffin Mohd Shahar, the team manager of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) being elected as a new member of the FAM Executive Committee.

Kamarul Ariffin received 25 votes, enough to beat four other contenders, to fill up the vacancy left by Subkhidin Mohd Salleh, who stepped down last November.

The Congress also agreed to appoint deputy president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal as its representative in Malaysia's mission to lead the 2034 World Cup joint-hosts bidding process.

Commenting on this, Subahan said the first step would be to set up a special committee comprising representatives of the ministries involved in the bidding project as well as several government agencies.

The Congress, attended by 39 delegates from 20 affiliates, was chaired by FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, who will be celebrating a year in office tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA