Harimau Malaya or Harimau Import?

 

The Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) dispute with the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) has escalated from a sporting controversy into a full-blown crisis of integrity. What began with allegations of irregularities in player documentation has now exploded with accusations of forgery and cheating. 

This crisis stands in stark contrast to FAM's initial, defiant posture. When allegations first surfaced after Malaysia's 4-0 victory over Vietnam in June, secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman insisted that “all procedures were conducted properly” and denied any wrongdoing. That night of glory, which even impressed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has now crumbled. It has become a symbol of poor governance, deception, and shattered credibility.

The heart of this problem lies in FAM’s shifting narrative. The association has moved from a stance of “we made no mistake” to attributing the scandal to a “technical error” in the documentation for seven heritage players. This is an inadequate response.

 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

FAM, as an institution, must bear ultimate responsibility. Even if individual officials did not personally falsify documents, the association’s administrative systems demonstrably failed. They allowed forged submissions to be prepared, reviewed, and presented to the world's governing body. An admission of “flawed submissions” is a pivotal moment, but blaming administrative staff is a transparent and weak excuse that will hold no water with Fifa. The responsibility rests squarely with the FAM officials who signed off on these documents; it was their fundamental duty to verify their authenticity. The damage, however, is already extensive. Accusations of document falsification have tarnished not just FAM, but Malaysia's international standing and its system of governance. We are making global headlines for all the wrong reasons. 

The truth is Malaysian football has been running on political theatre, not planning. Money keeps flowing in but results stay flat. Instead of producing a new Mokhtar Dahari, Soh Chin Aun, Santokh Singh and ‘Spiderman’ V. Arumugan, we produce controversies that make international headlines. (And we even have a Mat Salleh as CEO of Harimau Malaya) 

Until we stop searching for foreign saviours and start building real structures from the bottom up, Malaysian football will keep playing its favourite formation: one step forward, two scandals back. 

References:

COMMENT | Will FAM take up offer for redemption? R Nadeswaran, Malaysiakini,
30 September 2025 

From Harimau Malaya to Harimau Import: A sad tale of lost priorities, embarrassing outcome, Jonathan Liew, Focus Malaysia, 30 September 2025

 

Fifa’s Red Card: Naturalised Players?

 

A storm of denial, questions, and confusion has erupted following sanctions by the world’s football governing body, Fifa, against the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven players. 

The term “naturalisation” in the footballing context often refers to players gaining a new nationality specifically to play for a country with which they have no prior biological ties, relying solely on the residency or naturalisation certificate.

 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

Article 19(3) of the Federal Constitution outlines a stringent residency requirement for naturalisation - an aggregate of 10 years out of 12 years, including the 12 months immediately before application. The home ministry’s website also cites a requirement for adequate knowledge of the Malay language. 

In the past, several foreign players were given citizenship. This prompts critical, unanswered questions: 

·                  How many of the sanctioned players had resided in Malaysia for over a decade?

·                  How many possess adequate Malay language skills?

·                 Given that Malaysia does not recognise dual citizenship, did these players formally renounce their original citizenships - Brazilian, Spanish, and Argentine to obtain “instant Malaysian citizenship”? 

The team included Corbin Ong (Barbadian father), Dion Cools (Belgian father), Junior Eldstål (Swedish father), Brendan Gan (born in Australia), Matthew Davies (born in Australia), Endrick Dos Santos (born in Brazil), Paulo Josue (born in Brazil), Romel Morales (born in Colombia), Stuart Wilkin (born in England), Daniel Ting (born in England), Darren Lok (born in England), Dominic Tan (born in Singapore), Natxo Insa (born in Spain), and Mohamadou Sumareh (born in The Gambia). 

Like instant noodles, there is also something called instant citizenship – courtesy of the generosity of the National Registration Department and the Home Ministry, who are willing to, not even circumvent, but break the law. 

People have waited for years, if not decades, for their citizenship despite having been born in Malaysia.  The current crisis is not a sudden shock, but foreseeable collision between the pursuit of competitive advantage and the strict, often conflicting, legal frameworks that govern international sport and national sovereignty. 

There is need for a catharsis - to be transparent and admit our mistakes and look for long-term solutions for football in Malaysia. If you ask FAM, they will organise a National “Football Summit”! 

Reference:

COMMENT | Fifa's red card: Naturalised players, national team in crisis,

R Nadeswaran, Malaysiakini, 28 September 2025

Survey Shows Malaysians are Happy, Highest in Kluang!

 

The Malaysia Happiness Index (MHI) 2024 recorded an overall score of 7.60, placing Malaysians in the happy category, said the Statistics Department (DOSM). For the first time, the report has been published at both state and administrative district levels, enabling more targeted and locally grounded assessments.

 

Sixteen state-level reports were produced, with Terengganu (8.64), Johor (8.08), and Negeri Sembilan (8.01) classified as very happy. A total of 36 districts were also classified as very happy with index scores ranging from 8.02 to 9.83, with Kluang recording the highest score at 9.83, followed by Raub (9.52) and Mersing (9.50). (I am living in the wrong city – KL). Happiness scores in urban (7.61) and rural areas (7.56) show a remarkably small disparity, indicating similar levels of well-being.

 

Source: https://en.wikiversity.org

 

DOSM said the outcome marks a significant milestone in assessing national social well-being, in line with Malaysia’s inclusive, people-driven, and evidence-based development aspirations. The MHI 2024 is based on the Malaysia Happiness Survey, which measures happiness across four dimensions: physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. The index comprises 94 indicators grouped into 13 components, making it one of the most comprehensive social statistics tools for evaluating the quality of life.

 

Findings show that the Religion and Spiritual (8.69) and Family (8.64) components are the strongest contributors to national happiness. Meanwhile, Culture (6.22) recorded the lowest score, though it still falls within the happy category. Demographically, females (7.62) reported higher happiness levels than males (7.57), and the 15 to 19 age group (7.79) emerged as the happiest cohort. This is according to the Chief Statistician.

 

But several questions arise; if they are happy, why do they gravitate to the Kelang Valley? What about Sabah and Sarawak? And where are the least happy places? And why? And if one is happy in Malaysia, why do they leave for Singapore, Australia, US or Canada? Which profession gives the most “happiness”? Certainly, the survey is a good step forward, but more needs to be done! And will policy follow such surveys?

 

Reference:

Survey shows M'sians are happy, highest in Kluang - Stats Dept, Malaysiakni/Bernama, 12 September 2025

Budget 2026: A Micro Perspective?

Cost of living pressures remain a real and widespread concern for Malaysians. Businesses have been facing increased costs across multiple areas, impacting their operating costs and profit margins, and are adopting a cautious investment approach. The pressure comes from rising labour costs, energy prices, raw-material prices, and even increased compliance costs such as e-invoicing, environmental, social and governance standards, the expanded sales and service tax, Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributions for foreign workers, port charges, and electricity and water tariffs hikes.

 

The budget’s priorities must be to lift household and business sentiment, securing social wellbeing, unleashing growth, infrastructure projects, advancing investment in high-growth high-value (HGHV) sectors, empowering small businesses, developing workforce skills, the green and blue economy, fostering youth potential as well as empowering women.

 

Source: https://belanjawan.mof.gov.my/en/

 

Target of a fiscal deficit of between 3.3% and 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2026 is likely, a reduction from the estimated 3.8% of GDP for 2025. Gross development expenditure is budgeted to increase by 3.5% to RM88bil 2026 against the RM85bil in 2025. At worst, no change in the amount (RM85b).

 

The allocation and distribution of Sumbangan Asas Rahmah or Sara and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah assistance is expected to see higher amounts and improvement benefitting 8.8 million recipients, involving an allocation of RM15.5bil, against RM13bil in Budget 2025.

 

The tourism sector, which received nearly RM550mil in Budget 2025, will be allocated at least RM300mil to RM400mil to boost tourism for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. The construction sector will benefit from the people-centred projects, public transportation and infrastructure such as highways, ports and roads. Home Ownership Campaign 2.0 will be extended to Dec 31, 2026, with first-time home buyers receiving a 100% stamp duty exemption for properties priced RM500,000 and below. Civil servants, estimated at 1.7 million or 10.2% of total employment, will enjoy a salary adjustment of 7% in the second phase of the revised Public Service Remuneration System, costing RM5bil. Financial assistance payments of RM500 for civil servants in Grade 56 and below, and RM250 for pensioners is set to cost around RM1bil.

The government will review the mandatory retirement age from 60, adapting to an ageing population while introducing changes to the EPF through a new scheme to provide monthly payouts to retirees.

 

Malaysia’s tax rate (24%) is considered uncompetitive compared with Singapore (17%), Vietnam (20%), Thailand (20%), and Indonesia (22%). Why don’t we reduce corporate tax rate to 20% while introducing the Tobin tax, excess profit tax for a wider group and “prosperity” tax on the top 1% of individuals.

 

Supporting SMEs comprehensively across multiple fronts is essential as they form 98.4% of total business establishments. SMEs have already been burdened with substantial increases in business and operating costs. Tax relief for first RM2.5m will be helpful and thereafter at 15%.

SMEs’ support should encompass providing accessible and varied financial instruments like grants and loans for innovation and research, export capacity, talent acquisition and retention, and sustainability initiatives and green technology adoption as well as artificial intelligence (AI).

 

As Lee Heng Guie suggests, the government can consider enhancing the Reinvestment Allowance and Investment Tax Allowance by increasing both the qualifying capital expenditure allowance rate and the percentage of statutory income to be set off to encourage reinvestment or continued investment. Review also the matching basis and maximum reimbursable amount of Domestic Investment Accelerator Fund.

 

Although tax incentives for research and development are available in Malaysia, there is room to fine-tune the definitions, qualifying conditions and approval processes. Offer an enhanced tax deduction for research and development expenses like Singapore at 250% to 400%, along with capital gains tax exemptions for investments in innovative startups.

 

To maintain momentum for solar adoption and renewable energy, the budget should consider extending the Net Energy Metering (NEM) programme (up to 300MW for businesses through NEM NOVA; and an additional 150MW for residential NEM Rakyat users) beyond its June 30 expiry; introduce financial incentives to accelerate household battery adoption, provide full exemptions on import duties and sales taxes for key renewable energy components, including solar panels, inverters, and battery energy storage systems (BESS); and introduce a Green Personal Tax Relief category for individuals, allowing tax deductions for new investments in solar panels, BESS, and electric vehicle charging equipment installed at private residences. The relief can be structured as RM5,000 per year up to a lifetime cap of RM20,000, or offered as a one-off RM30,000 tax deduction.

 

There are many other incentives one could propose but a comprehensive annual plan must take us on the road to a more developed nation. That will be the job of a good FM.

 

Reference:

Budget 2026: Hope in a time of uncertainty, Lee Heng Guie, The Star, 12 Sept 2025