KUALA LUMPUR – Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has called for a sweeping reset of Malaysian football, urging stakeholders to “give the game back to the fans” through a bold, more inclusive model for the domestic league.
Speaking during a Malaysia Football League (MFL) roundtable session with 13 Super League clubs today, the Regent of Johor stressed that the time for incremental change had passed, insisting that a fundamental shift in structure and mindset was needed to revive the competition.
“If we truly want to elevate our league, we must be brave enough to change,” he said.
“We need a more open model that allows all parties — including supporters — to play a direct role in shaping the future of the game.”
The proposal, which centres on restoring football as a community-driven sport, comes amid growing concern over the long-term sustainability of the Super League.
Issues such as financial instability, inconsistent club management and declining confidence among stakeholders have fuelled calls for reform in recent months.
The roundtable itself was convened following mounting pressure from clubs and observers who have raised concerns over structural weaknesses within the league.
Teams including Penang FC, Sabah FC, Negeri Sembilan FC, Terengganu FC, JDT and Kuching City FC have all expressed willingness to engage in serious discussions to safeguard the league’s future.
In a moment that surprised many, Tunku Ismail joined the session midway, which was broadcast live on MFL’s Facebook page, and presented a working paper outlining his reform proposals.
His intervention underscored the urgency of addressing long-standing issues he said had been highlighted repeatedly over the years.
He identified four core problems hampering Malaysian football: the lack of competitive grassroots development, the absence of fully professional referees, limited sponsorship, and poor financial discipline among clubs.
“We must start with the basics,” he said.
“First, we do not have a truly competitive grassroots system. Second, I have raised this since 2018 — we need professional referees. Third is sponsorship, and finally, financial discipline.
“When financial issues arise, some parties shift the blame to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and MFL. But financial management lies with the clubs themselves.”
The session is widely seen as a critical first step towards broader reforms, with the MFL’s initiative to gather clubs at one table offering a rare opportunity for alignment across stakeholders.
With pressure mounting and confidence wavering, Tunku Ismail’s call to return football to its roots — as a game owned by the people — may well set the tone for the next chapter of Malaysian football, drawing inspiration from models such as FC Barcelona, where supporters themselves are recognised as stakeholders and play a direct role in the club’s identity and governance. - April 29, 2026
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