KJ prepared to work with anyone elected as FAM president

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar will not take sides in the run up to the election for the post of Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president.

Khairy said he would work with any individual elected as the FAM president, be it Tunku Mahkota Johor (TMJ) Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim or Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

"As the Minister of Youth and Sports I have to be impartial," he told reporters when commenting on the candidates for the post of FAM president, after witnessing the signing of a sponsorship pledge for the 2017 SEA Games and Asean Para Games between the SEA Games committee and Ajinomoto Co.Inc, here today.

Tunku Ismail, the owner of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and Annuar, the Kelantan Football Association (KAFA) advisor, were announced as candidates for the FAM hot seat.

The FAM's 53rd Congress is scheduled on March 25.

FAM secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin made the announcement after Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and former Home Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat did not confirm their candidacy.

"I kept my word and withdrew from the race when TMJ gave his consent to contest for the post and that is very important," said Khairy who acknowledged that both Tunku Ismail and Annuar were credible leaders and have vast knowledge in football.

However, they must be given time to change the landscape of football in the country, he said.

"The entire nation are hoping that the individual elected as the new FAM president can change the status of football in the country but they must understand that changes cannot be done immediately," he said.

- BERNAMA