Selangor calls for clear strategy, tighter finances amid M-League crisis

By Danial Dzulkifly

SHAH ALAM, May 22 — As Malaysian football continues to grapple with mounting financial woes and dwindling public trust, Selangor is stepping up with structural reforms and renewed calls for stronger governance and fiscal discipline at the national level.

State executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said Selangor is committed to playing a leading role through its proactive work with Selangor FC and the Selangor Football Association (FA).

“The state will continue to be a role model in pushing for reforms within Selangor FC and Selangor FA, as we have a strong association and involvement in these two important organisations in Selangor football.

“Hopefully, the positive image and impactful reforms that have been carried out by both Selangor FC and Selangor FA in governance and club sustainability can be implemented by other state football bodies and eventually considered by the national governing body,” he told Media Selangor when contacted.

Najwan’s comments come amid a looming crisis in the Malaysia League (M-League), with Perak FC announcing its withdrawal from the Super League season due to financial distress, after reportedly spending RM40 million over three years, and several other clubs, including Kedah Darul Aman FC, Sri Pahang FC, and Kelantan Darul Naim FC, also at risk of pulling out.

He added that while club privatisation remains a step in the right direction, it must be accompanied by long-term planning and guidance from the football authorities.

“The governing body needs to provide more practical solutions and clear short, medium, and long-term strategies to ensure that football clubs can implement them into their planning and day-to-day operations.

“The state government would propose restructuring the state and national leagues, holistic coaching and player development and tighter financial regulations to ensure that limited money and resources are spent wisely on key initiatives and within means,” Najwan said.

Observers have warned that Malaysia’s football system risks collapsing due to unresolved structural cracks. Former Football Association Malaysia (FAM) executive Christopher Raj recently told national news agency Bernama that teams struggle to survive in a league lacking financial returns and competitive balance.

“If we focus on quantity, many issues and challenges will arise. What’s the point of having 20 or even 16 to 18 teams if nine face financial crises?” he said.

The councillor noted that despite the MFL Cup being scrapped, Selangor will maintain a strong grassroots football pipeline.

“Selangor FC will strengthen their soccer school programme in primary schools and encourage mass participation of young children in a holistic manner.

“Hopefully, Selangor FC reaches its target of establishing soccer school centres in 100 schools in two to three years to come,” he said.

Najwan said that Selangor FA’s structured state leagues, spanning Under-7 to senior teams, remain central to youth development and mass participation.

He argued that amateur and semi-pro teams should focus less on corporate branding and more on driving participation.

“Local clubs do not have much funding and should focus their resources on increasing and encouraging community participation in football activities and initiatives.

“The fans for local and amateur clubs would come from the friends and families of the players — so more players equals more fans and supporters of the local club,” Najwan said.

However, for professional clubs, he pointed to Selangor FC’s marketing and fan engagement blueprint as a proven model.

“I believe the initiatives done by Selangor FC satisfy the requirements of modern professional football clubs in their corporate structure, marketing and fan engagement departments.

“I believe that other professional clubs who choose to adopt some of the initiatives by Selangor FC would elevate their governance, corporate, and fan engagement aspects,” Najwan said.

On match-day operations, he admitted that state governments have limited power to influence refereeing quality or fixture fairness, which has long been a complaint from clubs and fans alike.

“I believe the respective football clubs like Selangor FC and the other clubs have often voiced out about the refereeing and scheduling issues via the appropriate channels, but unfortunately, it has somehow not improved,” Najwan said.

Nonetheless, he commended Selangor FA for its referee development programme, which now boasts over 200 referees active in the state league system.