FAM president’s post: Khairy yet to decide
Minister says he may have little time for the post and would give way if the Tunku Makhota of Johor accepts the nomination.
KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has yet to make a decision on whether to accept or reject his candidacy for the post of Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president.
New reports claim that the Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA) was among FAM affiliates to have nominated Khairy for the post of FAM president, a post that will be vacated by Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
KLFA president Adnan Md Ikshan said a decision as to whether Khairy would be able to contest during the FAM congress on March 25 would only be known on Feb 20, the closing date for candidates to accept their nominations.
Apart from Khairy, other names mentioned as likely candidates are the Crown Prince of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who is the owner of Johor Darul Ta’zim; former FAM deputy president Annuar Musa; and FAM integrity committee chairman Aseh Che Mat.
Khairy said, if he was elected as FAM president, he would have very little time to spare for the post, due to his obligation and duties as the youth and sports minister, as well as his responsibility to organise the SEA Games. He has also been tasked with carrying out the 2050 National Transformation (TN50).
“If Tunku Ismail agrees to the nomination, I will withdraw and I believe Annuar Musa will also make a similar decision,” he said.
Khairy said it was still early to make a decision and he would have to consider the proposal from all aspects.
“I will discuss the option with all stakeholders, representatives of state football associations and others involved… before I get a clear picture,” he told reporters after the winding up debate at the third session of the Youth Parliament at the Dewan Rakyat today.
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Khairy said he had not received any official statement about his candidacy from the FAM but only came to know about the proposal from media reports.