First Vice President Race Tightens to Four Candidates

The contest for the First Vice President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has intensified, with the number of candidates reduced from five to four following a withdrawal ahead of the September 17th Elective Congress.

This development makes the race for the First Vice President position a focal point of the FAM election. The outcome is seen as critical in shaping the future direction of the nation's football governing body, especially after a period marred by controversy, including issues involving seven "fake" heritage players that impacted Malaysia's image.

Former national player Datuk Jamal Nasir Ismail emphasized that the evolving landscape of the competition should serve as a reminder to all candidates. He stated they are not merely vying for a position but must be prepared to shoulder the significant responsibility of restoring confidence in FAM and Malaysian football. According to him, the chosen candidate must possess courage, wisdom, experience, and the ability to enact change.

Jamal Nasir also urged delegates from State Football Associations (FA) and Football Clubs (FC) to exercise their voting rights responsibly. "The future of FAM is at the fingertips of the delegates comprising FAs and FCs who have the right to choose," he said. "If the leaders are chosen wrongly, our football will not change. Everything is in the hands of the delegates." He recalled helping the national squad qualify for the 1980 Moscow Olympics before Malaysia boycotted the event.

The FAM Elective Congress for the 2025-2029 term is scheduled for September 17, 2026. The deadline for candidates to confirm their acceptance or rejection of nominations is September 2, 2026, at 5:30 PM. This election also introduces a revised administrative structure for FAM, as proposed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), reducing the number of leadership positions from 17 to 11 to streamline governance and enhance organizational efficiency. The new structure includes one President, three Vice Presidents, and seven Exco seats representing various segments of the national football ecosystem. One Vice President position is automatically allocated to the President of the Malaysian Football League (MFL).