FAM Scandal - INDEPENDENT Inquiry into Citizenship Issue, Forged/Fraudulent Documents submitted by FAM(on behalf Malaysia) - Do not sweep under carpet (MADPET)

 

Media Statement – 18/10/2025

Need An INDEPENDENT Inquiry or Royal Commission of Inquiry NOW to Look into The FAM Football Scandal, As It Is About Malaysian Citizenship and Fraudulent/Forged Documents

FAM and possibly implicated Ministries Should Not Be Involved

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) scandal is now a BIG issue for Malaysians, and it does not end even if FAM is subsequently successful in its appeal at FIFA.

The issue is about the granting of Malaysian citizenship to these 7 foreign footballers, and whether Malaysia issued or used fraudulent/forged documents about, amongst others possibly the proof of birth of parents/grandparents of these footballers so that they satisfy the eligibility requirements of FIFA. FIFA requires not just proof of nationality, but proof of other matters, including proof the acquiring of new nationality was not for the purpose of participating for Malaysia at international tournaments.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee found that FAM and/or the said players breached Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), which is the offence of forgery and falsification, which is also a serious crime in Malaysia. It states, ‘forged a document, falsifies an authentic document or uses a forged or falsified document.’ Article 22(2) also states ‘An association or a club may be held liable for an act of forgery or falsification by one of its officials and/or players.’ So, it is useless shifting blame to one FAM office bearer, or the players.

Citizenship has strict requirements that need to be complied with

When it comes to the issuance of citizenship, by naturalization under Article 19 of the Federal Constitution, there is that requirement, amongst others, that the applicant need to have resided in Malaysia for an ‘aggregate to not less than ten years in the twelve years immediately preceding the date of the application’ and ‘…intends, if the certificate is granted, to do so permanently…’. Was this requirement even satisfied in this case?

DUAL citizenship not allowed

The next issue, is whether these foreign players, now allegedly Malaysian citizens have already renounced their other national citizenship/s they held, and now are only Malaysian citizens. Malaysia does not allow Malaysian citizens to have DUAL Citizenship, and this principle clear having reference to Article 23-25 of the Federal Constitution.

Birthplace of parents/grandparents not a requirement for Malaysian citizenship

The fact that your parent or grandparent was born in Malaysia, or resided before in Malaysia is irrelevant in the consideration for the granting of a Malaysian citizenship. Only FIFA is interested in this as they do not want any national team to simply grant citizenship to foreign nationals so that they can play in tournaments representing Malaysia.

Some may argue that it has happened before, where foreigners have been given citizenship so that they can represent Malaysia, so what is the big deal now. It was wrong then, and past wrongs are never a justification for committing the same crimes/wrongdoing again. In fact, as there is no limitation to criminal prosecution in Malaysia, these past crimes should now be investigated and the wrongdoers should be prosecuted in accordance to Malaysian law.

INDEPENDENT investigation – not FAM or any Ministry possibly involved

Thus, these are serious issues of citizenship and fraud/forged documents, that ought to be now investigated or inquired into by an INDEPENDENT body or commission, maybe even a Royal Commission of Inquiry, as it not only concerns the wrongdoings or crimes of FAM, but also implicates several Ministries.

This Independent body naturally ought not include any FAM officials, or even anyone from the 2 implicated Ministries, being the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Home Affairs of Malaysia, including Minister Hannah Yeoh and Minister Saifuddin Nasution.

Attempts to lay blame on just some officials will not work

Thus, it was shocking to see that FAM, not even the Sports Ministry, seems to be conducting an Investigation now. FAM and/or Ministry should have investigated immediately when the allegations surfaced, certainly not now after FIFA already heard the matter and made a ruling.

It was reported that the ‘Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) general secretary Noor Azman Rahman has been suspended amid the ongoing controversy surrounding allegations that falsified documents were submitted to Fifa on the issue of naturalized players…“The general secretary will be suspended with immediate effect in order to allow the committee to carry out its duties,” he[FAM deputy president S Sivasundaram] told a press conference (FMT, 17/10/2025).

This is so wrong and unacceptable.

The investigation must be conducted by an Independent Committee/Commission, and it ought not include any FAM officials, or even anyone from the 2 implicated Ministries, being the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Home Affairs of Malaysia, including Minister Hannah Yeoh and Minister Saifuddin Nasution.

We believe that Malaysians would want a TRULY Malaysian team competing at international tournaments, and not a team that comprises of foreign nationals, who had questionably been granted Malaysian citizenship. How sad for Malaysian players, who lost their spot to play for Malaysia, which was taken by these ‘new citizens of Malaysia’.

Amend Federal Constitution if you want to make foreign athletes Malaysians

If Malaysia, wants to grant Malaysian citizenship to foreign athletes or sports persons, then the Federal Constitution need to be amended first to add in this ‘new way’ of making foreign national citizens. The government should table the needed Constitutional amendments in Parliament, and if passed by a two third majority in Parliament, then foreign athletes can become Malaysian citizen. Now, even the Home Minister cannot on his discretion grant anyone citizenship – the law must be strictly complied with even by the Minister or Prime Minister.

MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture), that is concerned with human rights and justice, hopes that this ‘football scandal’ will not simply put to rest if and when FIFA allows FAM’s appeal. This is a SERIOUS issue that cannot be swept under the carpet. It must be investigated, and all wrongdoers including even possibly Ministers should be prosecuted in accordance to law.

Conduct Independent Inquiry Now – No need to wait for FIFA’s Appeal

MADPET calls for Malaysia to immediately set up a INDEPENDENT Commission/Committee of Inquiry, including possibly a Royal Commission of Inquiry to deal with this issue that affects all Malaysians especially when it involves creating new citizens, and the serious allegation of fraudulent or forged documents. As the outcome of the appeal to FIFA is irrelevant, this commencement of an independent inquiry with a view of all prosecuting all those criminally liable must start now.

 

Charles Hector

For and on behalf of MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)

FAM gen sec suspended amid falsified document controversy

4 hours ago

Jason Thomas

Noor Azman Rahman previously said the dispute stemmed from a 'technical error' by an administrative staff in FAM when submitting documents to Fifa.

FAM general secretary Noor Azman Rahman has been suspended with immediate effect to allow an FAM committee to probe the ongoing controversy surrounding allegations that falsified documents were submitted to Fifa on the issue of naturalised players. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) general secretary Noor Azman Rahman has been suspended amid the ongoing controversy surrounding allegations that falsified documents were submitted to Fifa on the issue of naturalised players.

Last week, Fifa issued a statement saying that contrary to documents submitted by FAM claiming that the grandparents of seven naturalised players were born in Malaysia, its own investigation found original records indicating the grandparents were actually born in Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and the Netherlands.

FAM deputy president S Sivasundaram today said it has formed a committee to prevent this issue from happening again.

“The general secretary will be suspended with immediate effect in order to allow the committee to carry out its duties,” he told a press conference at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya, here.

“We want the investigation to be carried out transparently. Let the committee decide what went wrong.”

Noor Azman previously said that the dispute stemmed from a “technical error” by an administrative staff in FAM when submitting documents to Fifa.

Sivasundaram said FAM’s executive committee made the decision to suspend Noor Azman yesterday.

FAM and seven naturalised Malaysian footballers were penalised by Fifa last month after the world football body said FAM had submitted falsified documents to confirm the seven players’ eligibility prior to Malaysia’s 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10.

FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (about RM1.8 million), while the players – Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel – were each fined 2,000 Swiss francs (about RM10,560) and suspended for 12 months from all football-related activities.

In a statement last week, FAM said the dispute stemmed from an “administrative error” after a staff member mistakenly uploaded documents from an agent instead of official ones issued by the national registration department (JPN).

When asked whether any action had been taken against the staff member for the error, Sivasundaram said the committee was working to identify the staff member involved.

FAM has appealed Fifa’s decision, the result of which will be delivered by Oct 30. A failed appeal could result in points deduction for the national team in their ongoing 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign.

Malaysia beat Laos 5-1 in their 2027 Asian Cup qualifier on Tuesday to maintain their unbeaten record after four matches, keeping them top of Group F with 12 points, followed by Vietnam (9), Laos (3) and Nepal (0).

Malaysia will face Nepal on Nov 18 before concluding their campaign against Vietnam in Hanoi next March. - FMT, 17/10/2025

 

 

Ensure the Right and Ability to Vote to about 100,000 Malaysians in Remand Detentions or Detention in Prison, Police Lock-Ups and Other Places of Detention (MADPET)

 

Media Statement – 16/10/2025

Ensure the Right and Ability to Vote to about 100,000 Malaysians in Remand Detentions or Detention in Prison, Police Lock-Ups and Other Places of Detention.

Postal Ballot and Early Voting Mechanisms are options Election Commission can use to ensure the democratic right to vote is not denied

As the Sabah State Elections draw near, MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture) calls for the right of prisoners, especially the about 30,000 remand prisoners who have not yet been tried and convicted, be accorded the RIGHT and the ability to VOTE immediately.

These remand persons are PRESUMED INNOCENT until they are tried and convicted, and thus should not be denied the right of a Malaysian citizen to vote in elections.

Remand prisoners are those who could not afford Bail by reason of poverty, denied Bail by draconian laws like SOSMA[Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012] and other laws like the DDA[Dangerous Drugs Act 1952], or by other reasons like denial of bail because the Court believed there was the risk of absconding or tampering with evidence.

Besides remand prisoners/detainees, should not the right and ability to vote also be guaranteed for all convicted prisoners serving their prison sentences.

POSTAL VOTING and/or EARLY VOTING a reasonable option

Reasonably, the Election Commission should facilitate so that they could vote by POSTAL VOTE, which is now available for Malaysians who are overseas or could not physically turn up at voting centers physically to cast their votes physically. This is also considering that many Malaysians do still vote not in the place they are currently residing or working.

The other option is EARLY VOTING, which is provided for police, members of the armed forces and those assisting in the election process on voting days.

This right to VOTE should also be accorded to those held in remand in police lock-ups and other detention places of Malaysian law enforcement.

The RIGHT to Stand For Elections

It should also be considered whether remand prisoners, and maybe even convicted prisoners, should also be accorded the right to stand for elections to become Members of Parliament or a State Assemblyperson.

The State could abuse its power by detaining potential contenders in elections, and that right to stand for elections even when detained in police lock-ups or as remand prisoners on the nomination date will make Malaysia more democratic.

After all, it is the people who vote, and if they so choose to vote for a person in detention, including even a convicted person, the people’s right and choice ought to be respected. Even former Prime Minister Najib Razak, now serving his prison sentence, should really be accorded the right to stand for elections if he so desires. Ultimately, the people decide.

In these modern times, it is still possible for an incarcerated MP or ADUN to participate in Parliamentary and State Legislative Proceedings – so, why deny them the right to stand for elections? After all, it is the people that decide who they want to be their peoples’ representative in a democracy.

Proactive action by Election Commission Needed to Ensure Exercise of the Right to Vote

If in prison or other places of Detention, it is difficult for them to get access to the needed forms that need to be filled, posted, etc – thus it is all up to the Election Commission to ensure that they get their right to vote.

More than 100,000 denied right to Vote?

At present, it seems that the right to vote is being denied to maybe about 30,000 remand prisoners in Malaysian prisons, and more than 85,000 in total in Malaysian prisons (NST, 7/11/2024).

There is an even higher number, if we take into account remand detainees in police lock-ups and other remand detention facilities of other law enforcement facilities who are denied the right and ability to vote on voting day by reason of being detained for the purpose of investigation in State detention facilities, and this number could be in excess of 10,000 at least. A few votes can change the outcome of some elections.

Right to Vote to Those in Detention Will Improve Detention Conditions?

One thing good that will happen is that more politicians and potential candidates would reasonably pay more attention prisons, lock-ups and the prison overcrowding issues, as they need to woo support from those in detention and their families.

According to data shared by the department, prison facilities are currently housing 87,419 inmates, exceeding their total capacity of 74,146 by 11.24 per cent. With the current incarceration rate, the department reported a ratio of 245 inmates per 100,000 residents, compared to the global average of 145 per 100,000 residents…Out of 43 prisons in the country, 19 are operating at more than 20 per cent above capacity, particularly those located in major urban areas.

Hence, MADPET calls for an end of the denial of the Right and Ability to Vote for Malaysians in State Detention Facilities. They may not be able to physically be able to go to the various voting centers to cast their votes, but they will be able to vote by Postal Ballot and/or through Early Voting, and the Malaysian Election Commission and the Malaysian Government shall do all that is necessary to end the deprivation of the exercise of the  right to vote by these possibly above 100,000 Malaysians.

No Malaysian should be denied the right to vote in Malaysian State or General Elections, and for those facing difficulty in exercising this right, the responsibility falls on the Election Commission and the Malaysian government to ensure that the ability to exercise this right to vote in ensured.

Charles Hector

For and on behalf of MADPET(Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)