TMJ to be elected unopposed
Published on: Friday, March 24, 2017
Kuala Lumpur: Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, as the new president of Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), will help reshape the country's football scene, says Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.He said it could be seen through the vision and mission described by the Tunku Mahkota of Johor during his campaign for the country's top hot seat (football)."I congratulate the Tunku Mahkota of Johor on his victory as the FAM president. I'm confident of his vision, and more importantly, his capacity to shape the future of football in the country," Khairy said, Thursday.
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He was speaking to reporters after appearing as panel-member of a talk titled 'Delivering Promises: The Malaysian Case Study' at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, today.Tunku Ismail won the FAM president's post unopposed after his challenger Tan Sri Annuar Musa, the former Kelantan Football Association president, decided to withdraw from the race.Annuar announced the decision in a special press conference held at the Parliament lobby Thursday.Commenting further, Khairy hoped Tunku Ismail would also help out with the country's football development programme under Youth and Sports Ministry.
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However, according to FAM secretary-general, Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, the announcement (Tunku Ismail as president) would only be made on Saturday at the 53rd FAM Congress. Annuar had earlier on Thursday announced his withdrawal from the contest for the post of FAM president.
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He said his decision was made without coercion from or discussion with any party."I did not discuss this with anyone because I did not want to be influenced by anyone, not even my wife," he said in a press conference held at the Parliament Thursday.Annuar, who is also Ketereh Member of Parliament, said the decision was made in all sincerity for the good and future of FAM and national football.However, he added, he would be attending the FAM congress which is scheduled to be held this Saturday.Annuar said his decision was because of his respect for the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (TMJ), and hoped he would win the post uncontested and be declared the new FAM president."TMJ must be given the opportunity to do something for Malaysian football, and the commitment and earnestness he has shown will be an important asset to FAM," he said.Annuar said on Nov 16 last year, he had sent a short messaging system (SMS) message to TMJ, proposing that he (TMJ) take the post of president, and gave his word that he would declare him the uncontested winner.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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