Affiliates defend Hamidin’s position amid FAM statute amendment row

KUALA LUMPUR: Debate over Tan Sri Hamidin Amin’s position as honorary president of the FA of Malaysia (FAM) has intensified ahead of the national body’s extraordinary congress on Thursday.

Questions have been raised over the proposed statutory amendments despite the role remaining in the draft constitution.

The issue gained traction after Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said on Monday that the position is no longer practised within either the AFC or FIFA structure, describing it as a role that has fallen out of use in modern football governance.

However, Melaka FA deputy president Datuk Saiful Mat Sapri said Hamidin’s appointment was approved by affiliate members at the 2025 FAM congress and should not be questioned.

He said assumptions that the honorary president position would be abolished or cancelled were inaccurate and could create confusion among affiliate members and national football stakeholders.

Saiful also noted that the position is provided for under the proposed amendments to the FAM statute, which were prepared with the involvement and guidance of the AFC.

“The appointment of Tan Sri Hamidin Amin as the honorary president of FAM was approved by affiliate members through the 2025 FAM congress.

“Any assumption that the position will be removed is inaccurate and can cause confusion among affiliate members and national football stakeholders,” he said in a statement.

He said the inclusion of the role in the proposed statutes showed it continued to be recognised within the new governance framework.

“This shows that the existence of the position is not only recognised, but continues to be given space in the proposed new governance framework.

“Any proposed amendments should not be interpreted as an effort to terminate or deny the appointment that has been decided and approved by the previous congress,” he said.

Penang FA president Azizudin Sharif also questioned Windsor’s remarks, pointing out that the position remains in the draft statutes circulated to FAM affiliates last week.

“Based on the proposed new statutes that were circulated to FAM affiliates, the position of honorary president still exists and has been retained within FAM’s organisational structure.

“In fact, the new statutes are the result of a reform process undertaken with the involvement and guidance of the AFC itself.

“Claims that the position will be abolished are puzzling, as provisions relating to it remain clearly stated in the draft statutes proposed for approval by congress.

“The position of honorary president should be retained. This is because the role of honorary president is a ceremonial one, conferred as the highest form of recognition and respect for certain individuals,” he said.

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المصدر: New Straits Times