Foul!

As published in Malay Mail today By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my KUALA LUMPUR — More than a dozen top Pahang officials are being investigated over dubious land deals in the ecologically-damaged Cameron Highlands. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission  (MACC) has also questioned land owners and other individuals linked to extensive illegal land clearing to cash in on the lucrative vegetable, fruit and flower industry there. The anti-corruption agency has “stacks of documents” linking high ranking civil servants who approved land clearing between Ringlet and Kampung Raja, located almost 35km apart, sources revealed. “There are strong indications top government officials from the Land and District Office and other state government agencies are linked to the illegal land clearing in the Camerons,” said the source in the thick of investigations. “MACC is also looking at land owners and other parties involved in areas where illegal cultivations took place. Documents were seize...

As published in Malay Mail today By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and several other enforcement agencies will launch a massive crackdown on government offices soon following allegations of corrupt practices that have resulted in excessive clearing of land and influx of illegal immigrants in Cameron Highlands. MACC will also station officers at the plantation and highland resort immediately with the objective of setting up an office there permanently. Insiders claim investigations were underway as MACC “has been pressured” to tackle the issue after mud floods killed five people and injured five others on Nov 5. Homes and vehicles were also destroyed. Last October, four people were killed in a similar incident that caused heavy damage to property. Environmentalists blamed it on uncontrolled land clearing. On the planned swoop, a source said: “This crackdown will be as big as the one against...

As published in Malay Mail today

As published in Malay Mail today By Vijhay Vick vijhayvick@mmail.com.my PETALING JAYA — FA of Malaysia (FAM) general secretary Datuk Hamidin Amin conceded there was a miscommunication between the national body and the Malaysian Stadium Corporation (MSC), the guardians of the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. The Malaysia Cup final between Pahang and Johor Darul Takzim, the Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2014 Carnival and a Buddhist prayers event all take place in and around the National Stadium tomorrow. Mayhem is expected as more than 150,000 people are likely to converge  on the vicinity of the 100,000 capacity stadium. Further, carparks A and B are closed for the Sarawakian event while the prayers take place at the Putra Stadium. “It was a miscommunication. For them (MSC) the stadium is in good condition and able to host the final. Only later, we realised about the other two events,” said Hamidin. However, Hamidin insisted the National Stadium ...

As published in today's Malay Mail   By Vijhay Vick vijhayvick@mmail.com.my KUALA LUMPUR — “Don’t let me down.” That was the message by FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Tengku Abdullah Shah to the men in blue after chairing the Malaysia Cup security committee meeting at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. His anxiety comes as no surprise as the National Sports Complex is set to host three events — the final between Pahang and Johor Darul Takzim, the Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2014 Carnival at car park A and B outside the main stadium and a Buddhist prayers event at the nearby Putra Stadium. Some 150,000 people are expected to flock the complex. Football fans have been advised to head to the stadium by 2pm —more than six hours before the kickoff at 8.45pm. But fans will only be allowed to enter the stadium after 4pm. “We need the cooperation from the fans. Otherwise, the police will not be able to handle the volume of people,” said FAM security committee deputy chair...

As published in Malay Mail today. By Vijhay Vick vijhayvick@mmail.com.my KUALA LUMPUR — The FA of Malaysia (FAM) had insisted on the Malaysia Cup final to be held at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday, revealed Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. Khairy said there was not much the Malaysian Stadium Corporation (MSC), which comes under the purview of his ministry, could do as they had already committed to two other events — a Sarawakian carnival and a religious prayer — scheduled on the same day. Johor Darul Takzim will play Pahang in the final which was earlier scheduled for Nov 8 but brought forward to this Saturday to give the national team time to prepare for the Asean Football  Federation Cup which starts on Nov 22. “It was unfortunate FAM changed the date of the final. MSC had already committed to the other two events and both the event organisers have paid in full for the use of the facilities,” said Khairy. “FAM in...

It has been almost unheard of before but racism is sadly rearing its ugly head in the M-League amidst claims that a Pahang footballer was taunted by players from an opposing team. Pahang FA is expected to report to the FA of Malaysia (FAM) today over alleged racist remarks hurled at their Jamaican defender Damion Stewart by Johor Darul Takzim’s Pablo Aimar and Luciano Figueroa in a Super League match at the Darulmakmur Stadium last Saturday. It is believed this is the first time such a report has been lodged in the history of Malaysian football. It is understood  that Stewart was harassed throughout the match and his Pakistan teammate Zesh Rehman will be the key witness in the report to be submitted today. The source said it was fortunate Stewart kept his cool and did not react angrily during the match, despite being constantly heckled by both the former Argentinean internationals. However, after the match, Stewart attempted to confront Aimar and Figuero but was restrained by team ...

The Pahang Football Association (PFA) have appealed to the FA of Malaysia (FAM) to review their player status committee’s decision on Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal (pic). Former international Amirulhadi was alleged to have signed a two-year-contract with the PFA but made a U-turn by joining cash-rich Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the eleventh hour, forcing PFA to lodge a complaint to FAM.  Last Friday, the player status committee deemed that Amirul’s contract with PFA was “doubtful” making the contract void and ruled that the 27-year-old midfielder’s move to JDT legal. Amirul was slapped with a RM25,000 fine for failing to reveal the status of his contract and PFA were given three days to file an appeal. Read the full article here . HD says: Professional eh?

Seorang peminat setia Tok Gajah tekad berjalan sejauh 280 kilometer (km) dari Kuantan ke Stadium Shah Alam bagi membayar nazar berikutan kejayaan skuad Pahang menjuarai Piala Malaysia musim ini. Abdul Majid Abdul Hamid, 57 mula berjalan pada 6.45 petang dari Masjid Negeri, pada Nov 6. Pengawal keselamatan itu memberitahu, doanya makbul apabila pasukan kesayangannya itu menewaskan Kelantan, 1-0 di final. “Saya bayar nazar kerana doa saya untuk melihat Tok Gajah merangkul Piala Malaysia dimakbulkan ALLAH SWT." Baca selanjutnya di sini . HD kata: Respect!

Haresh Says, as published in Mailsport today. THE venue: An Irish bar in the heart of Bukit Bintang. The time: Five hours before the kick off of the Malaysia Cup final last Sunday. The ‘visitor’: Englishman Antony Sutton , who settled down in Jakarta more than a decade ago and is known as  Mr Jakarta Casual as per his blog and column in Jakarta Globe. The ‘host’: Yours truly The ‘match’: Malaysian football. Sutton is among the growing number of Mat Sallehs who is extremely fascinated with football in this region. He often writes about the leagues in Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore, Indonesia and even Malaysia. We first shared our views about the possible outcome of the Malaysia Cup final. I had earlier predicted Kelantan to defeat Pahang 2-0. Instead, the Elephants trampled over the Red Warriors as Argentine Matias Conti scored the solitary goal of the match for Pahang to reclaim the title they last won in 1992. Sutton then progressed into the M-Lea...

I was wrong in my 'ramalan'. Based on their current form and the team's build up especially throughout the Malaysia Cup, I thought Kelantan would defeat Pahang 2-0 in the final. Instead, Pahang's Argentinean star Matias Conti ( pic ) scored the solitary goal of the match and it was enough for Pahang to clinch the title they last won in 1992. It was a different Kelantan on the field, especially in the last 15 minutes of the match. Pahang clearly had more fire compared to the Red Warriors. 'Tok Gajah tamat kemarau 21 tahun' as reported by Harian Metro and Pahang ends 21-year wait, as reported in The Malay Mail today. This marks the end of the 2013 season which, sadly, has been plagued with the same problems - players not being paid wages on time, claims of match-fixing, horrible playing ground, ticketing issues and fans lighting up flares at the stands. It also saw changes within the FA of Malaysia - mainly Hamidin Amin replacing Azzudin Ahmad as the g...

Malam ini akan menjadi penentuan samada Kelantan mampu mengekalkan takhta Piala Malaysia atau Pahang merampas piala yang mereka menang pada 1992. Segalanya akan terjawab di Stadium Shah Alam (sepak mula 8.45 malam).  Saya merasakan bahawa Kelantan mampu memenangi Piala Malaysia sekali lagi. Anda pula bagaimana? Tahun Juara Jaringan Naib Juara Stadium 2013      ???  ???               2012 Kelantan 3 – 2 ATM FA Stadium Shah Alam, Selangor 2011 Negeri Sembilan 2 – 1 Terengganu Stadium Shah Alam, Selangor 2010 Kelantan 2 – 1 Negeri Sembilan Stadium Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 2009 Negeri Sembilan 3 – 1 Kelantan Stadium Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 2008 Kedah 3 – 2 Selangor Stadium Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 2007 Kedah 3 – 0 Perak Stadium Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 2006 Perlis 2 – 1 Negeri Sembilan Stadium Bukit Jalil,...