KUALA LUMPUR – Sri Pahang FC could soon come under new ownership, with Genting Plantations Berhad emerging as the leading contender in a possible takeover worth between RM50 and RM80 million.
Sources close to the club told Scoop that a recent closed-door meeting was held between Genting Plantations CEO Datuk Lim Keong Hui and current club owner Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah, the Tengku Muda of Pahang.
It is understood the meeting focused on a proposal to acquire and fully privatise the club.
“The idea is to reduce the club’s dependency on the state government and royal family,” the source said.
While Genting has yet to formally respond to the proposal, discussions are ongoing, with more meetings expected in the coming weeks.
According to the source, the proposed deal would reportedly include Sri Pahang’s training facilities and see Genting take on the club’s substantial operating costs — estimated at RM15–20 million a year — to keep the team afloat in the M-League.
Sri Pahang, one of Malaysia’s most storied clubs, are said to be struggling with unpaid wages amounting to nearly a full season’s arrears.
Other suitors, including corporate entities and state-linked Invest Pahang, are also believed to be in the frame as potential rescuers.
“Currently, they are looking to sell the club for between RM50 and RM80 million, which also includes its existing training facilities. However, nothing has been confirmed yet, as the conglomerate has not officially responded to the proposal.
“Further discussions are expected to take place in the coming days or weeks. At the same time, the club is also considering other options by engaging with several other corporate entities. Invest Pahang is also expected to step in with a significant proposal to save this historic club from collapse.”
This wouldn’t be Genting’s first foray into football. From 2011 to 2013, its parent company Genting Malaysia served as principal partner of Premier League club Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Football League (MFL) First Instance Body chairman Sheikh Mohd Nasir Sheikh Mohd Sharif confirmed the club licensing deadline has been extended to May 10, after multiple teams sought additional time to meet requirements for the 2025 M-League season.
On the pitch, Sri Pahang showed promise this season under head coach Fandi Ahmad. They finished eighth in the Super League, reached the Malaysia Cup final, and made the FA Cup round of 16.
Founded in 1959, the club has a decorated history with five Super League titles, four Malaysia Cups, three FA Cups and three Charity Shields.
They were runners-up in the 2005 Asean Club Championship and made the AFC Cup quarter-finals in 2015. — April 30, 2025