Someone powerful pulling strings in FAM scandal, must be punished - Dr M

Dr Mahathir Mohamad suggested that a “powerful and influential individual” had been “pulling strings” and should be punished over the citizenship scandal surrounding several Malaysian heritage football players.

In an interview with Sinar Daily, the former premier said Malaysian citizenship had been given to seven foreign-born players without due examination and described it as a “deliberate attempt to cheat”.

“Somebody is up to tricks, and I think they should be punished for that. If even internationally, you would be willing to tell lies and fabricate things… then it can only be done by somebody with power.

“Somebody with very strong influence, and because of that influence, believes that he can get away with it. That is what he did, but we cannot identify who,” he said.

On Sept 26, the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) imposed sanctions on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven foreign-born players from Malaysia’s national squad, Harimau Malaya, for breaches of Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code, concerning forgery and falsification.

Fifa said FAM had submitted falsified documents to confirm the players’ eligibility, enabling them to feature in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers against Vietnam on June 10.

It also determined that FAM must pay a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.9 million), while each of the seven players was also slapped with a 2,000 Swiss francs fine.

In the grounds of its ruling, Fifa revealed it had acquired the original birth documents of the players’ “Malaysian-born” grandparents, which contradicted the alleged doctored documents submitted by the Malaysian side.

The National Registration Department has since denied any involvement in the alleged falsification of documents concerning the seven “heritage” players.

Similarly, last week, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told Dewan Rakyat that he had exercised his power granted under the Federal Constitution to consider the seven foreign footballers as fit to be granted Malaysian citizenship.

The players - Imano Javier Machuca, Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano - have also been suspended 12 months from all football-related activities.

Fifa has identified that the grandparents of these players were born in Argentina, the Netherlands, and Spain – and not in Penang, Malacca, or Sabah, as the government has claimed.

Double standards

In the interview, Mahathir further described the incident as shameful and highlighted the double standards surrounding law enforcement throughout the country.

“In Malaysia, police investigations are selective. Some people, even if they have done no wrong, will still be subject to investigation. Some, who have done wrong, are exempted,” he said.

The former premier also stressed that had it not been for the Vietnamese authorities who highlighted the issue to Fifa, the issue would likely have been swept under the rug.

He explained that the Vietnamese authorities had rightfully pointed out how the players on the Malaysian football team did not look like Malaysians, thus arousing suspicion.

“It is shameful that foreign players represent Malaysia. It is a Malaysian team, so it should be manned by Malaysians.

“We want to win football games, but let it be done properly, don’t cheat.

“If you have the money and can buy these players and ask them to play for Malaysia by claiming they are Malaysian, then you are telling a lie,” he stressed.

Dr M urges Sabahans to vote wisely

In the Sinar Daily interview, Mahathir also expressed concerns towards factionalism within Sabah politics, and warned how it could prevent good governance and competent candidates from being elected. 

“Elections in Sabah usually see a very big number of candidates, each one with practically no objective other than to win the election. So, we find that parties in Sabah are formed and can serve without any proper process to follow,” he said. 

Explaining how too many candidates in each constituency could lead to multi-cornered fights and split the vote, he also warned against voting based on individuals, parties, and ethnic lines. 

“We hope that the election will bring forth good governance, but I think, actually, in Malaysia, politics is not about good governance. Politics is about individuals, about parties, and the like.

"So we are not going to get a good government as a result of an election," he said.

When questioned if he believed that there were “no good candidates” competing in the upcoming polls, Mahathir further agreed. 

He expressed scepticism towards Sabah’s leadership and described that a candidate’s character can only be judged once they are within a position of power.  

"He may be very good before he became representative of the people. But the moment he gains power… power corrupts.

"So if they get to become chief minister or minister, then that’s when they show their true colours," he said. 

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