In December 2023, I wrote an article for Football Tribe Asia titled “Is the Liga Super No Longer ‘Super?’“, which explored the growing disparity between Malaysian powerhouse Johor Darul Ta’zim and the rest of the Liga Super Malaysia. Nearly a year later, little has changed—and if anything, the situation appears to be worsening.
While JDT continued to raise the bar—luring high-profile names such as former Real Madrid forward Jesé Rodríguez and ex-AC Milan winger Samu Castillejo to the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, and single-handedly boosting Malaysia’s position in the AFC Club Competition rankings through their strong continental performances—the rest of the league tells a far more sobering story. At the opposite end of the spectrum, at least four clubs are facing an uncertain future, with financial instability and administrative challenges threatening to pull more teams into crisis.
Perak FC, who finished a respectable 7th in the 2024/25 Liga Super Malaysia season, have already raised the white flag. Their parent company, XOX Berhad, has confirmed it can no longer finance the club, and efforts to secure alternative funding have so far come up short. Whether this marks a permanent dissolution or merely a temporary hiatus remains uncertain.
Elsewhere, long-standing outfits Kedah Darul Aman and Sri Pahang FC have been dogged by persistent rumors of financial trouble. Speculation intensified in March when JDT owner Tunku Ismail Ibrahim appeared to “bid farewell” to both clubs during a Q&A session with fans. Kedah have since issued a strong denial, insisting the club is not on the brink of collapse—but the uncertainty lingers.
Then there’s Kelantan Darul Naim, who finished bottom of the table and are reportedly struggling to pay their players and staff. Reports suggest training has been reduced to just one session a day before matches, a grim echo of the financial disarray that led to the downfall of Kelantan FC—the state’s previous top-flight representative—only a few years ago.
Adding to the turbulence, both Kedah Darul Aman and Kuala Lumpur City FC were hit with points deductions during the season—Kedah for financial irregularities and KL City for licensing issues—further highlighting the systemic fragility within Malaysian club football.
However, the 2024/25 season wasn’t entirely bleak for the domestic game.
Despite their points deduction, Kuala Lumpur City remained competitive both in the Liga Super and on the regional stage. Terengganu FC also put in solid performances across domestic competitions and the ASEAN Club Championship, showcasing the depth of talent outside the traditional elite. Selangor FC, meanwhile, continued to set the benchmark off the pitch, with their club management, financial stability, and continental presence coming closest to rivaling JDT. On the field, however, they still lagged behind—falling short in the league and suffering an early exit in the Malaysia Cup. They did manage to end the season on a positive note by lifting the 2024/25 MFL Challenge Cup.
Sabah FC offered another success story, overcoming financial uncertainty to secure a commendable third-place finish. And perhaps the most surprising narrative came from Kuching City FC—an unfancied side that punched above their weight to finish fourth in the final standings. Their remarkable campaign may well earn them a spot in the 2025/26 ASEAN Club Championship alongside regional rivals Sabah.
And in a twist few saw coming, Perak’s vacant slot in the 2025/26 Liga Super season may soon be filled by Brunei-based side DPMM FC, amid strong rumors of their departure from the Singapore Premier League. Backed by Bruneian royalty—specifically Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah—DPMM bring with them not only financial clout but also a track record of professionalism and ambition. If confirmed, their inclusion could add a fresh layer of competitiveness to a league crying out for more parity. Like JDT, they represent a model of centralized ownership and top-down investment, which—while controversial to some—has proven effective when implemented with long-term vision and sound management.
But relying on new entrants or JDT’s decline is not a viable long-term solution for Malaysian football.
To keep the Liga Super Malaysia both exciting and sustainable, the rest of the league must take a hard look in the mirror. The current gulf between JDT and their domestic rivals isn’t just about money—it’s about infrastructure, vision, and execution. Clubs must modernize their operations, diversify revenue streams beyond state funding or short-term sponsors, and invest in youth development and community engagement. Transparent financial governance must become the norm rather than the exception, and club licensing regulations should be more strictly enforced and equally supported with capacity-building programs by the Malaysian Football League (MFL).
Moreover, there’s an urgent need for institutional support. While JDT have shown what is possible with strategic leadership and resources, league authorities must help elevate the baseline for all teams—whether that means better broadcast deals, revenue sharing models, or incentivized grants for clubs meeting development milestones.
The Liga Super Malaysia still holds immense potential. The fan base is passionate, the regional interest is growing, and the talent pool—while undernurtured—remains promising. But unless decisive action is taken across the board, the league risks becoming a one-horse race, watched with dwindling interest both at home and abroad.
To restore the “Super” in Liga Super, all stakeholders—from club owners to league officials—must work in tandem to bridge the gap, build sustainable foundations, and give Malaysian football the competitive integrity it sorely needs.