KUALA LUMPUR — The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is proposing to abolish the deputy president's position in the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) as part of a sweeping overhaul of the national body's constitution aimed at strengthening governance and improving its electoral process.
The proposed changes, which will be presented to FAM affiliates at an extraordinary congress on Thursday, also include stricter eligibility requirements for individuals seeking election to the association's leadership positions, including minimum nomination thresholds, age limits and football-related experience.
AFC secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John told Scoop said the recommendations stemmed from a two-month quality management audit conducted by the continental governing body on FAM's administration.
In total, the AFC has drafted amendments to 94 articles in FAM's proposed new statutes, which it believes will help modernise the organisation and align it more closely with international governance standards.
"One of the key recommendations concerns the composition of FAM's executive committee. Under the proposed structure, the deputy president's position will be removed, while the number of vice-presidents will be reduced to three,” Windsor said when contacted.
"We are also proposing amendments to Articles 31 and 38, which relate to the nomination and election process for FAM's executive committee.
"These changes are intended to ensure that individuals seeking office possess the necessary experience, credibility and support within Malaysian football before contesting for leadership positions," he said.
He explained that candidates for the presidency would be required to secure at least four nominations, while those contesting for vice-president would need three nominations.
Candidates seeking election as executive committee members would require a minimum of two nominations.
"In addition, all candidates must have at least five years of active involvement in Malaysian football, whether at club level or with a state football association. They must also be aged 70 or below on the date of voting.
"The objective is to ensure that those elected have a genuine track record in football administration and a clear understanding of the challenges and responsibilities involved in developing the game in Malaysia," he said.
Under the proposed structure, FAM's executive committee would be reduced from 17 members to 11, comprising one president, three vice-presidents and seven executive committee members.
However, Windsor stressed that the proposed amendments would only come into force if they receive the necessary approval from FAM's affiliated members during Thursday's congress.
The proposed reforms represent one of the most significant reviews of FAM's governing statutes in recent years and are aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability and professionalism within the administration of Malaysian football. - June 1, 2026
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