.png)
SHAH ALAM - Malaysia’s football authorities need to shift from a reactive approach of punishing clubs over unpaid salaries to a preventive model built on financial discipline, stronger governance and stricter licensing requirements, former football manager Zakaria Rahim said.
While acknowledging that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has mechanisms to address unpaid salary issues, Zakaria said recurring cases showed that enforcement alone was not enough.
"The objective should not only be to punish clubs after salaries go unpaid, but to prevent the problem from happening in the first place," he said.
He said preventive measures should include stronger financial assessments before each season, continuous monitoring of clubs’ finances and stricter licensing requirements to ensure teams have the capacity to meet contractual obligations.
"There should also be meaningful consequences for clubs that repeatedly fail to meet contractual obligations. At the same time, enforcement must be fair and accompanied by efforts to help clubs improve governance and financial management," he said.
Zakaria said building a financially sustainable football ecosystem required shared responsibility between governing bodies and clubs.
Drawing an analogy with a shopping mall operator, he said clubs should be viewed as tenants that contribute to the success of the wider ecosystem.
"The operator has a responsibility to create an environment where its tenants can thrive. A successful mall depends on healthy, sustainable businesses that attract visitors and encourage them to keep coming back," he said.
He said the Malaysian Football League (MFL) must provide the necessary infrastructure, commercial opportunities, marketing support and ecosystem for clubs to remain sustainable.
At the same time, clubs must operate professionally, engage supporters and develop revenue streams that reduce dependence on short-term funding.
"The MFL's role is to create a commercially viable and attractive ecosystem for all clubs, while the clubs must maximise the opportunities provided by running their organisations professionally, engaging supporters and building sustainable revenue streams.
"Success can only be achieved when both parties fulfil their respective responsibilities," he said.
Zakaria said long-term reforms should focus on sustainable club management, stronger governance and greater financial accountability to restore confidence in Malaysian football.
His comments come amid ongoing concerns over unpaid salaries involving Kedah Darul Aman FC (KDA), despite intervention by FAM.
The club has faced repeated calls from individuals linked to KDA FC, including players, technical director Nelson San Martin, former head coach Victor Andrag and former coach Rosle Md Derus, to resolve outstanding salary payments.