PETALING JAYA: Sports critic Datuk Pekan Ramli has described the sudden change in the FA of Malaysia’s (FAM) leadership as baffling.
Datuk Joehari Ayub has abruptly resigned as FAM president barely six months after his election. Deputy president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi was appointed acting president by the national body’s executive committee today.
“It’s strange to hear a president resign so quickly. His unopposed win showed unanimous support from FAM affiliates at the congress, but he quit without completing his term, and that raises concerns over internal politicking,” said Pekan.
“FAM has long been in the public spotlight for various issues, and changes in its leadership will only invite more questions.
“As the national body, FAM must be accountable and explain its decisions to the public.
“Any organisation that faces constant changes will struggle to gain public confidence.
“It was recently reported that FAM is RM7 million short of meeting its sponsorship target. If they continue making mistakes and attracting negative publicity, I believe potential sponsors will stay away.”
Pekan urged FAM to resolve its leadership issues swiftly and put the national body back on track.
“They should work fast to get a new president, but it seems only next year they will have a successor. I feel this delay will affect FAM’s operations,” he added.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding FAM until next year, and it’s not a good look. I fear there will be plenty of internal politicking, which could affect FAM further.
“We used to worry that politicians joining sports bodies would bring political issues, but now the politicking within sports bodies themselves is already at an alarming level.”
According to the FAM statutes, Yusoff will serve as acting president until the next congress, scheduled for next year, when a new president will be elected to serve the remainder of the term.
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