By Media Selangor Team
SHAH ALAM, 21 Nov — Following the ongoing controversy involving the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has moved to tighten any oversight of government funding for the national football squad.
Its minister, Hannah Yeoh, proposed that the disbursement of additional funds to the national team be suspended temporarily until confidence in FAM’s administration is fully restored.
According to Yeoh, the measure is among the ministry’s proposed improvements to ensure that the development of local athletes remains its primary focus.
“For now, I can only recommend that no further additional funds be channelled. Let us focus first on assisting the national team and ensuring that the necessary improvements are carried out,” she was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.
Yeoh made the remarks while winding up the committee-stage debate on the 2026 Supply Bill for KBS in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
The FAM issue resurfaced after allegations of document forgery involving seven heritage players drew the attention of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (Fifa), sparking heated debate in Parliament.
Expanding on the matter, Yeoh said KBS has also proposed that all applications for athlete or player naturalisation submitted by sports associations to the Home Ministry (KDN) be referred first to the National Sports Council (MSN).
She said MSN better understands the actual needs of the teams, as the government — through the National Football Development Programme (NFDP) and grassroots initiatives — has invested significant funds to develop local talent.
“MSN knows better whether a team truly requires heritage players or not,” she said.
She added that MSN held an engagement session with professional football clubs last November, during which the clubs outlined their plans to recruit naturalised players.
“KBS or MSN has no authority to block such efforts if they choose to proceed, as it is permitted by Fifa.
“So if they want heritage players, they must follow a proper process to ensure controversies like this do not recur,” she explained.
Yeoh stressed that the two proposals serve as the ministry’s initial steps while awaiting the outcome of a full investigation into the matter.
Earlier, during the winding-up session, both government and opposition MPs voiced concern over the damage the scandal has caused to the country’s reputation.
