Minister saddened over FAS crisis, urges calm
KUCHING: Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has expressed his concern over the state football crisis following a call for Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) president Dato Posa Majais to resign.
Abdul Karim, who is also Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, believed the issue could be resolved amiably through talks.
Posa on Tuesday was urged to step down after issuing a statement that Sarawak could withdraw from the Malaysian League (M-League) next season due to financial constraints.
Two state’s football bodies – Sarawak Former Footballers Association and Sarawak Football Coaches Association – and some of the FAS members made the call at a press conference, questioning Posa’s capability in solving the financial problems faced by the state football governing body.
“I feel sad when I read about it today,” said Abdul Karim.
“Football is a very popular in Malaysia especially in Sarawak.
“We have teams playing in the Malaysian League and I hope football in Sarawak can
be managed well and there is no need for any party to accuse one another.
“As the Sports Minister, I will not let football sink and I want to see FAS managed in an organised manner. I will meet with them (FAS).
“There is friction among the
divisions, from top to bottom in FAS and I don’t want to see conflict among them,” he told reporters at his office at the new wing of Bangunan Baitulmakmur in Petra Jaya yesterday.
The Asajaya assemblyman also urged the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to understand the financial situation of teams in Sarawak and neighbour Sabah, where they have to travel by air to play away games in the peninsula.
“The cost of flights is very high, plus we have to go two or three days in advance before the match,” said Abdul Karim, adding that the peninsula teams only have at least two away matches in Sarawak and Sabah.
As most of the teams are in the peninsula, they have the luxury of travelling by bus, an inexpensive alternative to flying, he explained.
“Therefore, the national governing body should give bigger allocations to Sarawak and Sabah than that of the other states, otherwise let’s just play in Borneo,” added Abdul Karim.
Currently there are five teams under the FAS competing in MLeague competitions - Sarawak United FC (Premier League), Sarawak United II (M3 League), Sarawak United III ( President Cup), Sarawak United IV (Youth Cup) and Sarawak United (FAM Futsal League).
Withdrawal from the MLeague next season could lead to disqualification of the five teams.