AFC reaffirms Hamidin’s honorary presidency despite FAM leadership crisis

KUALA LUMPUR — Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin’s status as honorary president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) remains unaltered, despite the resignation of the entire executive committee last week.

Hamidin, who served as FAM president from 2018 to 2025, was appointed to the honorary presidency during an extraordinary congress on June 30, 2025.

Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John, Secretary-General of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), clarified to Scoop that the honorary president role is not an elected position but an appointment made by the executive committee.

“The honorary president is not elected, unlike the roles of president, deputy president, or vice-president. It is an appointment made during an EXCO meeting, meaning that the role remains unaffected by any changes within the executive committee,” Windsor explained.

He further emphasised that the honorary president carries no executive powers, nor does it involve decision-making in FAM’s daily operations.

“The honorary president is a symbolic role intended to recognise a person’s significant contribution to football, rather than a position of control over administrative matters,” Windsor said.

The honorary presidency, as outlined in Article 22 of FAM’s statutes, can be awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the sport in Malaysia.

Amid the resignations, FAM is currently undergoing a complete governance overhaul with assistance from the AFC.

A team of AFC experts will begin a thorough assessment of FAM’s management on Tuesday to identify potential weaknesses and improve the organisation’s administration. – February 1, 2026