BY ZULHILMI ZAINAL Follow on Twitter
Just two days before the election for the Malaysian FA (FAM) posts is set to be held, Tan Sri Annuar Musa has backed out of the two-horse presidential race.
In an announcement made on his social media on Thursday afternoon, Annuar revealed his decision to withdraw from the contest, citing the need for harmony among the FAM executive committee (exco) of the coming term.
"What good will it do if a house is built but the work is not finished? When the winners' authority is questioned and the losers mocked.
"If that happens there will not be harmony in Malaysia's footballing fraternity. Improvement cannot take place, instead it will be a step back, from bad to worse.
"Therefore I've contemplated carefully and decided to let the other (presidential) candidate, the Crown Prince of Johor (Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim) to win unopposed and be announced as the new FAM president," wrote the former Kelantan FA chairman.
He also praised Tunku Ismail, popularly known to fans as TMJ, and the potential that the Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT) owner has.
Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim. Photo by Nizam Rahman - www.asiana.my
"The commitment and determination shown by TMJ can be an important asset to FAM. The support and consent of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Johor is also a tribute to Malaysian football.
"Thus TMJ should be given the best possible opportunity to improve Malaysian football and to fulfill all his promises.
"I too on 16th November (2016) had sent an SMS to TMJ suggesting that he takes over the presidency. At that time I promised to make efforts so that he would run unopposed. Today I fulfill that promise," revealed Annuar.
He finally added that he will now concentrate on his role as a member of the Malaysian parliament and advisor to the Kelantan FA.
"I will now focus my attention towards the Kelantan team, especially to help the team improve its grassroots football program in order to produce more young talents, which have always been the foundation for the development of the Red Warriors.
"In addition, my main task is to repay the trust of the people of my area (the Ketereh parliamentary seat in Kelantan), as well as my role as the national information chief of UMNO, in preparation for the 14th general election, God willing," explained Annuar.
But despite Annuar's withdrawal, TMJ is yet to be officiated as the new FAM president, and the association is expected to announce his win following the congress this Saturday, March 25.
In the meantime, the FAM vice-president, deputy president and exco posts will still be contested, with the voting taking place on the same day.
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