KUALA LUMPUR: Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) vice-president Datuk Seri Rosmadi Ismail has defended the leadership and management of the governing body against various serious allegations made in a poison-pen letter yesterday.
Rosmadi, who is also a member of the executive committee, when contacted by Bernama, said he had read the entire allegations sent via email to stakeholders including the media and found them to be completely untrue.
He said the allegations, including FAM’s lack of transparency in the tender process for the National Training Centre project, are very serious and can tarnish FAM’s image, besides hindering the development of football in Malaysia.
“For me, these accusations are untrue because every decision, whether big or small, is made in the executive committee meetings by consensus among us before it is implemented.
“As for tenders, I don’t think the accusation is correct because we conduct open tenders, invite all parties, and evaluate them, including the company’s capabilities.
Every decision and proposal from the management or appointed consultants must receive the approval of the executive committee,” he said.
Rosmadi also confirmed that no decision was made unilaterally at FAM and he was satisfied with the system and workings of the governing body.
He did not rule out the possibility that the allegations were deliberately raised due to dissatisfaction, resentment and envy.
“I believe all members of the exco, including myself, have full confidence in the system implemented and stand behind the president (Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin) and all the committees mentioned in the allegations made,” he said.
Earlier yesterday, the poison-pen letter in the form of an email went viral on social media raising issues allegedly related to the leadership and management of FAM.
The four main allegations concern abuse of power by the FAM secretary-general, salaries and benefits of staff, issues involving the Harimau Malaya squad, and the National Training Centre project.
These allegations have raised tensions ahead of the 60th Annual Congress of FAM scheduled to take place at a hotel in Petaling Jaya tomorrow. — BERNAMA
