Southeast Asia

Johor Darul Ta’zim owner to become FAM president

Tunku Mahkota of Johor (TMJ), Ismail Sultan Ibrahim is set to be announced as the new Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president.

The Johor Darul Ta’zim owner wins uncontested after his rival Tan Sri Annuar Musa backed out of the two-horse presidential race in just two days before the election.

Annuar, former Kelantan FA chairman, revealed his decision to withdraw from the contest, citing the need for harmony among the FAM executive committee of the coming term.

“What good will it do if a house is built but the work is not finished? When the winners’ authority is questioned and the losers mocked,” he wrote on his social media on Thursday.

“If that happens there will not be harmony in Malaysia’s footballing fraternity. Improvement cannot take place, instead it will be a step back, from bad to worse.

“Therefore I’ve contemplated carefully and decided to let the other (presidential) candidate, the Crown Prince of Johor (Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim) to win unopposed and be announced as the new FAM president.”

TMJ will hold the Presidential seat for FAM for the period of 2018 until 2021, with the association is expected to announce his win following the congress this Saturday, March 25.