TMJ Comments Under Fire As FIFA FAM Scandal Explodes

TMJ, FIFA and FAM now sit at the centre of one of the biggest scandals to hit Malaysian football. What began as a controversy over heritage players has escalated into a storm of accusations involving forged documents, political power, and suspected cover ups. TMJ, the Crown Prince of Johor and owner of Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), is now publicly questioning how the scandal happened. But many in football circles believe he is trying to control the narrative and protect himself.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee struck hard at FAM in late September 2025. The global body found that forged and falsified heritage documents were used to register seven foreign-born players as eligible to play for Malaysia. These players were central to Malaysia’s 4–0 win over Vietnam earlier this year. The punishment was severe: a one-year suspension for the players involved and a heavy fine for FAM.

TMJ responded with a public outburst. He questioned who authorised the documents and even asked “Who was in New York?” to hint at possible hidden political actors. But TMJ has never been a neutral figure. He has been at the heart of Malaysian football politics for years. This is not a whistleblower speaking from the outside. This is a man who has long held real power behind the scenes.

TMJ was once FAM President

TMJ previously served as FAM President between 2017 and 2018 and has remained deeply involved ever since. He personally recommended the current CEO of FAM, a move that entrenched his influence even after stepping down. JDT, the club he owns, has benefited heavily from the heritage player programme. Several of the now banned players are linked directly to JDT. That creates an uncomfortable picture of someone who helped build the system now pretending to question it.

This is not the first time TMJ has tried to shape public opinion. He famously attacked former sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin for not reforming Malaysian football, portraying himself as a reformist who cared about integrity. Yet today, with FIFA exposing systemic fraud, his statements look more like damage control than genuine outrage.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has not escaped criticism either. Hannah Yeoh, the current minister, remained silent during the critical early days after the scandal broke. Only recently has she spoken about accountability. To many, this silence is a sign of weak leadership. While FIFA’s findings dominated headlines, the ministry said almost nothing. The perception now is that TMJ and the government are trying to manage the scandal rather than fix it.

The facts, however, are brutal. FIFA found clear discrepancies between documents submitted by FAM and the originals. This was no simple clerical error. It was a coordinated effort that allowed ineligible players to represent Malaysia. And it happened under an ecosystem built by the same powerful figures now trying to shift blame.

The biggest danger is that the scandal gets spun as a bureaucratic failure while those with real power quietly slip away. TMJ’s sudden outrage conveniently distracts from his own role, his appointments, and his club’s gains from the heritage programme.

Hannah Yeoh’s delayed response only feeds that perception. Critics say she has been asleep at the wheel during one of the most damaging scandals in Malaysian football history. The combination of TMJ’s attempt to redirect blame and the ministry’s weak response creates fertile ground for a cover up.

FIFA sanctions risk Malaysia missing 2027 Asian Cup

Malaysia is now at risk of missing the 2027 Asian Cup. FIFA’s sanctions are not just financial but also reputational. This kind of damage cannot be fixed with vague press statements or finger-pointing.

When TMJ asks “who is responsible,” Malaysians are asking the same question. Many are asking whether he is trying to shield himself. TMJ has deep influence over FAM, a history of publicly criticising others, and a current role in steering the narrative. That makes him part of the story, not an innocent bystander.

The real question now is whether FAM and the ministry will open everything up or quietly let the powerful escape. If TMJ is allowed to hide behind public statements, the scandal will not end with justice. It will end with a cover up.