IPOH – The crisis surrounding the Perak Football Association following its cancellation and dissolution in June last year has been resolved after the Youth and Sports Ministry approved its appeal to maintain its status as an entity.
The state FA’s president, Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin, said the decision was made by the ministry on February 8, retaining the FA’s registration under Section 21(1) of the Sports Development Act 1997 after its appeal was submitted on May 2 last year.
“We are thankful to receive this good news as the Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has approved the appeal through a letter from the sports commissioner, and it is now final,” he said in a statement today.
On March 7, 2022, the Perak FA faced a six-month suspension due to the existence of two groups claiming to be the legitimate committee of the association, which has been in existence for over a century.
The crisis prompted the state government’s intervention, leading to a meeting between state sports exco Khairudin Abu Hanipah and Yeoh to seek a solution in accordance with the sports commissioner’s constitution to prevent the state FA’s dissolution.
In June last year, Yeoh authorised the suspension of the FA’s dissolution by forming a task force to address the association’s crisis under Subsection 21(1) of the Sports Development Act 1997.
The task force, led by former Perak FA president Datuk Seri Abdul Puhat Mat Nayan, held an extraordinary general meeting on December 22 last year, during which Azhar was re-elected president and Datuk Sham Mat Sahat as deputy president.
On January 18, Khairudin notified the sports commissioner of the EGM’s outcome for further action by Yeoh.
Meanwhile, in the same statement, Azhar expressed gratitude to Yeoh for her wisdom in resolving the state FA’s leadership crisis.
“I will also schedule a (Perak FA executive committee) meeting soon to address administrative issues arising from our suspension in March 2022.
“We will restructure (the Perak FA) to rebuild its reputation, enhance credibility and revitalise football in the state,” he said while expressing gratitude to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Khairudin, as well as the task force who had acted as moderators in the appeal process. – February 10, 2024