
The son of the late Ayer Kuning assemblyman, Ishsam Shahruddin, has expressed disappointment after Perikatan Nasional allegedly used the name of a football club founded by his father for a match tied to the upcoming by-election.
Isnabil Ishsam said a friend had told him about a football match scheduled for 5pm tomorrow, in which the organisers had used the name Akademi Bola Sepak YB Haji Ishsam (AYBI FC) without any prior notice or consent.
It is understood that several opposition politicians are expected to take part in the match.
“We were never informed about the use of the name. After we raised the issue, the organisers abruptly changed it to a different club name,” he said at a press conference at the Tapah Umno headquarters.
Isnabil lodged a report at the Tapah police headquarters, saying he wanted to prevent confusion among Barisan Nasional supporters.
“My father never had any ties with PN and remained loyal to Umno and BN until his final breath,” he said.
AYBI FC was established in January 2023 and is awaiting registration approval from the national sports commissioner.
Saturday’s Ayer Kuning by-election will see a three-way contest among BN‘s Yusri Bakir, PN’s Abd Muhaimin Malek and Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s KS Bawani.
The by-election was called following Ishsam’s death on Feb 22.