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FAM say nothing decided on their future despite TMJ statements

The FA of Malaysia (FAM) have denied that any major decision has been made about them being replaced soon by new lineup of governors.

That's despite the Crown Prince of Johor announcing on the Southern Tigers Facebook page that national body is about to undergo a major shakeup.

The Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner, also known as TMJ, has claimed that the current powerbrokers at the national body, including president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, have agreed to retire. He added that, after new elections, many new faces will be handling Malaysian football.

The governing body, however, did not verify TMJ's predictions.

"We will have our executive committee meeting on Aug. 15, and a few matters will be discussed. Nothing has been decided. By the rules, all FAM executive members are eligible to complete their term until 2018. It is their individual right to stay, or move," said the national body's secretary general Hamidin Amin.

Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has also discussed a solution formula with FAM on the steps forward for the sport, which will be presented on Aug. 15.

Any changes within the body before 2018 must be conducted through an extraordinary general meeting, with the approval of the Sports Commissioners Office, added Hamidin.

"We will hold our annual general meeting on Sep. 15 to present our activities for 2015, including the endorsement of our financial accounts," Hamidin said.

TMJ, through JDT's Facebook posting, had also suggested that a foreign coach, with a proven track record, should soon be employed for the national team. Current chief Ong Kim Swee, when asked on the suggestion, said he was only focused in his handling of the team.

"I have a job to do, and one I intent on doing well. I have to prepare the team for the upcoming friendlies and AFF Cup, and that is my focus. I am not pressured by these comments," said Kim Swee.

Last week's Suzuki Cup draw for Group B saw Malaysia pitted against co-hosts Myanmar, Vietnam and a qualifier for the biennial tournament, beginning in November.

Before they travel to Yangon for the tournament, the national team are scheduled for a series of friendlies, beginning with Indonesia in Surabaya on Sep. 6.

They will start training on Aug 29, with the squad expected to be revealed six days earlier.

"I will call 23-25 players against Indonesia. There will be some changes, as we had lost players to retirement recently. We have also identified new faces during our scouting session from the ongoing domestic season," said Kim Swee.

The JDT quartet Safiq Rahim, Aidil Zafuan, Amirulhadi Zainal and S. Kunanlan retired from the national team last month, soon after June's Oceania tour.