PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured Malaysians that the government will not attempt to conceal the findings of the ongoing investigation into the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) following allegations of forged documents submitted for seven naturalised players.
Speaking to reporters aboard a Malaysia Airlines flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, Anwar acknowledged the gravity of FIFA’s condemnation of FAM, describing it as a significant national issue.
“Yes, this is a big issue. The government has examined it, and there will be no attempt to cover up the case,” New Straits Times cited him saying on Friday. “I understand the public is impatient and wants immediate action… they say we are not acting, but we must allow the normal processes to take place.”
He compared public frustration over FAM to viral allegations of corruption in Sabah, noting that while accusations of inaction exist, due process remains essential before any sanctions are imposed.
Addressing debates over naturalising foreign players to secure immediate results, Anwar advocated a long-term strategy of developing local talent.
“I am also a sports fan… ideally, we need to develop local talent and we have channelled funds for this purpose, but it will take time to achieve the results that everyone desires,” he said.
The FAM controversy stems from forged documentation submitted for seven heritage players—Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel.
Investigations revealed that the documents falsely claimed the players’ grandparents were born in Malaysia, whereas civil records from Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and the Netherlands confirmed all seven were born abroad.
FIFA’s appeal committee rejected FAM’s and the players’ claims of good faith. In September, FIFA imposed fines of CHF350,000 (approximately RM1.9 million) on FAM, while each player was fined CHF2,000 (RM10,600) and suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months.
Earlier, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh warned against arbitrary government intervention, cautioning that dismissing FAM officials could provoke further complications with FIFA.
PM Dismisses Calls to Sack Political Secretary
Separately, Anwar addressed calls to dismiss his political secretary over a letter of support issued for contractors bidding on a hospital project.
“I understand where he is coming from, but we have to look at the gravity of the offence. I certainly don’t agree with what he did, but we have to ask if the project was indeed awarded based on his letter… the answer is no. So, we did reprimand him… we cannot insist on taking stern action against someone just because we don’t agree with the person. We have to be consistent,” he said.
Anwar emphasised that the letter in question did not constitute an instruction and warned that critics often focus on minor infractions while ignoring far larger instances of corruption.
“You close an eye to all these cases but take up all these petty issues… granted, they should not be condoned, but still it should not be at the same level as the billions stolen,” he said.
Pressed on whether a stern warning was sufficient, he added: “They must be consistent… you don’t highlight the major corruption cases involving the VIPs, but you go after these small fries just to be popular.”
The prime minister’s comments came during a three-nation African tour following his official visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he met Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.
Anwar will attend the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg as ASEAN chair before proceeding to Nairobi, Kenya, later this week. - November 21, 2025
