For years, there have been talks about Tunku Mahkota Johor, Tunku Ismail Idris (TMJ) helping out others in the Malaysian League. The Johor Darul Ta’zim FC owner was previously said to have provided his financial assistance to several players who were owed salaries by their respective teams.
The Johor Crown Prince recently confirmed those rumours. In a press conference after inspecting the pitch at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil over the weekend, TMJ revealed that he had assisted at least five teams regarding the salary arrear issues involving its players and staff.
Sekitar keberangkatan pemilik @OfficialJohor @HRHJohorII ke Stadium Nasional di Bukit Jalil bagi meninjau keadaan permukaan padang sambil diiringi Menteri @KBSMalaysia Datuk Seri @PejaOfPerak hari ini.
📸 Muhammad Mustaqim Khairuddin | BERNAMA pic.twitter.com/s6RIu1lfxQ
— BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) March 19, 2022
According to Utusan, among the other teams that TMJ has assisted include Selangor FC, Penang FC, Kelantan FC and Melaka United. “I had helped Selangor and Kelantan twice, Penang and Melaka United once, with salary arrears. I had also helped the PFAM (Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia),” the former president of Football Association Malaysia (FAM) shared.
“Three days ago, the Perak management came to see me and I contributed some funds. I can’t reveal how much (of the amount), but I helped them a little to reduce the burden of Perak, and I hope they can solve their problem in the near future,” TMJ told the press. “In my career with regards to football in this country, I have helped many teams. However, there wasn’t a need to inform the media and publicise this.”
For those in the dark, it has been reported that Perak PC is facing salary arrears of RM1.7 million, involving the Premier League squad, that spans up to seven months. It is understood that even the team’s coaches, assistant coaches and staff have not received their salaries since last August.
Sources: Utusan, Oh Media, The Star.
