Khairy’s Pledge

       

            Khairy’s Pledge - Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin is ready to withdraw from the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) elections if Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim runs for the president’s post.

“Everybody wants to see Tunku Ismail as the president but he does not want the post? To become the president, you need co-operation from everyone as well as the influence to bring all the stakeholders together.

“I think Tan Sri Annuar Musa would pull out. He said he would if Tunku Ismail runs. And Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat would automatically (pull out) too, including me,” said Khairy, a former FAM deputy president, at the parliament lobby here yesterday.

FAM secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin reported recently that four names had been received for the FAM president’s post from the affiliates.

They are Khairy, Tunku Ismail (club owner of three-time Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim), Aseh (FAM Integrity Committee chairman) and Annuar (Mara chairman and former FAM deputy president).

The election of the new executive committee for the 2017-2021 term will be held on March 25 at FAM’s 53rd annual congress. The nominations closed on Jan 23 and the final nomination list will be announced on Feb 20.

The FAM have 19 affiliated members, who will be represented by two delegates each. There will be a total of 39 votes, with one from the representative of the Football Coaches Association Malaysia.

Acknowledging that each of the four nominees had his own strengths, Khairy said the president of choice must be one who could unite instead of divide.

“This opportunity does not come easily, maybe once in 10 years. It is not about personal interest, but it has to be someone who could use his influence to unite the community,” he added.

Asked if he was interested in the job, Khairy said his main concern was the schedule.

“As the Youth Minister, I have to take care of the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games (Aug 19-31), National Transformation (TN50), so my time is rather limited for me to pay full attention to the national body. There are a lot of aspects I have to think of,” he said.

On his earlier statement that a Cabinet ruling has made it impossible for federal ministers to lead sports associations, Khairy said it is up to the Cabinet to put aside its earlier decision.

“That (Cabinet ruling) wouldn’t be a problem if I decide to run. The main point is whether I will run or not and I do not know that yet.

“This (nomination) comes from FAM, so in this situation we have to ask them what is the objective and once we get a clearer picture, we can decide,” he added.