TMJ still president, maintains FAM

PETALING JAYA: Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim is still the president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), according to the country's football governing body.
Tunku Ismail made a shocking announcement last night when he announced he was stepping down as president following a dismal run of results that led to the national team dropping three places in FIFA's world ranking.
FAM secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, however, said the Crown Prince's resignation was invalid as he did not follow the right procedure.
"According to FAM's procedure, if any executive committee (exco) members wish to resign, that individual needs to submit an official letter, and it is FAM exco's prerogative to accept or reject that resignation," he said in a statement today.
The latest FIFA ranking released yesterday shows the national football team sitting at an all-time low ranking of 178 in the 211-nation organisation.
Expressing shock over Tunku Ismail's announcement, Hamidin said he believed the former's statement was merely an expression of disappointment over the action of some netizens blaming him for the country's poor showing in football.
He also said there was no one who would be a deserving replacement to Tunku Ismail for the president's post at the moment, whom he described as the only qualified individual for that responsibility.
"In fact, representatives from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have also contacted me last night to ask on the issue, and they too agree that Tunku Ismail should remain to lead FAM," he said.
Hamidin pointed out that Tunku Ismail, among other things, had improved the quality of Liga Malaysia by bringing in sponsors and that his credibility had facilitated FAM's cooperation with various international footballing bodies.
"Hence, I, together with FAM exco members have agreed to continue to stand firm behind the leadership of Tunku Ismail as the president of FAM and want him to continue holding on to the post," he said.