Ex-Selangor players demand 'land' promised as reward for 1995 Malaysia Cup win

PETALING JAYA: After waiting for 25 years, the 1995 Selangor squad have today demanded that they be given the plot of land promised to them as a reward for ending the state's nine-year trophy drought when they clinched the Malaysia Cup that season.

Former Selangor skipper Ismail Ibrahim claimed that the reward was promised to them verbally by then Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, while team manager Datuk Md Aini Taib was entrusted to handle the matter.

He said 31 individuals, including players and team officials, were promised a plot of land and the announcement was made on the night Selangor celebrated the Malaysia Cup victory on Nov 15, 1995.

"We understand that the announcement was made as a result of the monthly Selangor state executive council meeting that morning.

"We, as players, are the ones to receive the reward while Datuk Md Aini is the individual entrusted to manage the award on our behalf but until today we still haven't received anything," he said at a media conference today.

Also present were former assistant coach Datuk K. Rajagobal, former player Asmawi Bakiri and Siti Mariam Sathawee, who is the wife of former player, the late Anuar Abu Bakar.

Asmawi urged the responsible party to come forward and provide an explanation on the status of the reward and resolve the issue.

"We hope this demand will be considered, taking into account our hard work, effort and sacrifice in trying to bring glory to Selangor football," he said.

Meanwhile, Siti Mariam admitted to feeling emotional whenever she recalls her late husband talking about the reward until his death, saying that the reward meant a lot to the entire team.

Selangor emerged as Malaysia Cup champions for the 28th time that season after defeating Pahang 1-0 at the Shah Alam Stadium and retained the title for the next two seasons.

-- BERNAMA