TUNKU Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has officially quit as Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president and has endorsed general secretary Hamidin Amin as his replacement.

The Johor crown prince, who was elected to the hot seat a year ago, handed in his resignation letter 10 days after announcing his intention to leave via the association’s Facebook and website.

Tunku Ismail submitted the letter to FAM officials following a Football Malaysia Limited Liability Partnership (FMLLP) meeting in Johor Baru today.

In his previous statement, TMJ as he is fondly known said he was stepping down after the national team’s ranking fell three places.

“Recently, the national team’s ranking fell three place and this is a very big failure. With that being said, I think it is time that the president of FAM leaves football,” he said. 

He had on that occasion also taken the opportunity to list down his achievements as FAM president, saying he had managed to restructure local football to become less dependent on government funding.

He also said the Under-23, Under-19, and Under-16 teams have made history by representing Malaysia at “the highest level in Asia”.

He took up the post on March 25 last year. 

Tunku Ismail was elected unopposed as Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah’s replacement when his main rival for the job, Annuar Musa, withdrew from the race.

“I told Hamidin I would only be here for one year,” Tunku Ismail told a press conference.

“I came to destroy FAM … to build a better FAM. I believe I’ve done that. Hamidin is the best person to replace me.

“I will stay on as chairman of FMLLP but it will now be called Malaysian Football League (MFL).

“Some people don’t deserve me,” said Tunku Ismail who was upset as some fans criticised him for the national team’s poor performances.

The 33-year-old said he would look after the interest of all clubs in the Malaysian league via MFL.

“MFL is independent from FAM. I will make sure the league, clubs and sponsors are well looked after,” said the Johor Darul Ta’zim owner.

“I’m not interested in the national team anymore. I’m interested in the value and integrity of the league.

“The state FAs are no longer relevant, they can look after the national team.”

He added he is the best man in football “in Malaysia and maybe even in Southeast Asia” and would not leave anyone behind.

“This face, I don’t know how, somehow makes money.

“Long live Johor. Thank you thank you Malaysian football, good luck.”

Tunku Ismail’s grandiose plan to run the Malaysian league may be short-lived, however, as MFL is still answerable to FAM despite his claims it is an independent body. – March 25, 2018.