Malaysia’s former Minister of Youth and Sports, Khairy Jamaluddin, has issued a scathing critique of the current state of Malaysian football, warning that the Liga Super Malaysia is in “critical condition” and “on the verge of collapse” if urgent reforms are not enacted.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the upcoming Maybank Challenge Cup clash between Manchester United and the ASEAN All-Stars on May 28, Khairy expressed deep concern over the league’s deteriorating financial health and waning fan engagement.
“We’re seeing more and more clubs struggling to survive in the Malaysian league, and it’s reached a tipping point,” said the former UPB-MyTeam president, as quoted by The New Straits Times. “When even prominent clubs are reluctant to compete domestically, it’s clear the system is under severe strain.”
Several top-tier teams—including Kedah Darul Aman, Kelantan Darul Naim, Sri Pahang FC, and Perak FC—have reportedly faced significant financial challenges. Both Perak and Sri Pahang have already withdrawn from the 2025/26 Liga Super season. Bruneian side DPMM FC will replace them, joining from the Singapore Premier League.
Khairy highlighted the growing disparity between club expenses and revenue. He noted that during his time with UPB-MyTeam, club operations typically cost RM3–4 million annually. Today, that figure has soared to over RM20 million, an unsustainable amount for many teams.
“When state government support disappears, sponsors pull out, and fans stop coming to matches, the funding dries up entirely,” he added. “It becomes a vicious cycle—no fans, no revenue, and clubs start folding. We’re in a critical situation.”
Khairy urged the newly appointed leadership of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the Malaysian Football League (MFL) to act decisively. “If nothing changes,” he warned, “the league will collapse.”
His remarks reflect a growing wave of public dissatisfaction with the trajectory of Malaysian football and intensify pressure on FAM president Datuk Joehari Ayub and his administration to implement immediate, meaningful reform to rescue the domestic game.