KUCHING: The recent decision by Football Association Malaysia (FAM) to fine Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) of nearly RM80,000 together with four home games behind closed doors is widely seen as draconian and a horrendous judgment.
In fact, the action by FAM was an act of mental torture to the Sarawak fans and an effort that will not bring positive impact to football in Malaysia.
Assistant Minister of Youth Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who pointed this out when asked to comment on the matter said he was unsure if the FAM disciplinary committee was relying on one source or had watched videos of the incident from various angles.
“FAM decision is unjustified, not helpful in sports development and is an insult to the people of Sarawak,” he said to The Borneo Post yesterday.
“It is better for us to ‘withdraw ourselves’ from being played and directed around by those (FAM) who had no respect for the people of Sarawak,” Karim added.
Karim suggested that FAS study several options, such as playing in other leagues such as the Singapore League, or continue playing in FAM organised competitions.
On the same subject, Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Housing urged the Federal Government to monitor the action of not just FAM but also other sports related governing bodies.
“The action by FAM actually might hurt national integration and relevant government bodies must be alert to ensure no misuse or abuse of power,” he said.
Meanwhile, FAS Deputy President Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki said FAS will try to appeal the decision made by FAM although the disciplinary committee had said that no such request could be made.
“FAS must be given the right to defend ourselves. To play without our supporters is unacceptable. Its killing football,” said Abu Bakar.
Sarawak will now have to play against Sabah on May 12, Selangor on June 16, Perak on June 23 and Johor FC on June 30 at Stadium Negeri behind closed doors.
The judgment also have a huge impact on the revenue collection of FAS as the estimated loss of gate collection from the upcoming four home matches is somewhere between RM600,000 to RM1,000,000.
It was understood that the FAM decision had also destroyed the hopes of fans from Sabah, Selangor, Johor and Perak to watch the matches at Stadium Negeri with many of them had already bought air tickets to Kuching.
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