The recent report issued by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) revealed serious irregularities in how the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) handled the registration of several naturalised players. It is concerning to learn that there have been reported instances of document forgery and misrepresentation. This situation not only affects our country’s reputation but also risks undermining public trust in both the government and our sporting institutions.

According to the FIFA investigation, seven foreign players were registered using doctored documents. Despite the findings, it is troubling that the FAM reportedly sought to have the investigation discontinued, dismissing the allegations as “baseless.” They also apparently requested that the players retain their eligibility to represent Malaysia and suggested that any penalties should be limited to minor fines or verbal warnings. Such a response is, frankly, disappointing and does not reflect the accountability we should expect.

There appear to have been clear oversights in regulatory oversight, along with procedural shortcomings. FIFA’s report indicates that the documents submitted for these players inaccurately stated that their grandparents were born or had settled in Malaysia. This directly contradicts earlier official assurances that all documents had been properly verified.

The Home Minister previously stated that naturalisation procedures were conducted in accordance with the law and established processes. However, FIFA’s findings seem to contradict this. If government agencies failed to detect obvious discrepancies during verification, it suggests there may be significant weaknesses in our application and review mechanisms.

Additionally, the National Registration Department confirmed that in some cases, “secondary evidence” was used because original handwritten records were unavailable. Yet FIFA later managed to obtain original birth certificates, which confirmed that the players’ grandparents had no ties to Malaysia. This raises legitimate concerns about the rigour of our document verification and procedural oversight.

This issue goes beyond sport. It touches on matters of national integrity. In the pursuit of fielding stronger players, it appears due process in citizenship approval may have been overlooked. When institutions and public bodies are perceived as bypassing rules for short-term gains, it is not only sporting fairness that suffers, but also public confidence in our systems and the value of citizenship.

Citizenship should be granted on the basis of genuine, lawful, and transparent procedures. Any actions that undermine this principle risk damaging both our institutional credibility and the ethical foundations of the nation.

In light of this, MCA Youth supports the call for:

1. An immediate, independent, and thorough investigation to establish the full facts of the matter;

2. Accountability for those responsible, regardless of seniority or position;

3. A review and strengthening of citizenship and naturalisation procedures to prevent similar issues in the future;

4. A full and transparent explanation to the public to help restore trust in both government and sporting bodies.

This incident should serve as a reminder of the importance of integrity, accountability, and transparency. It is only through upholding these values that Malaysia can maintain the respect of its people and the international community.

Mike Chong Yew Chuan
MCA National Youth Deputy Chairman

8 October 2025

-MCA Comm-