TMJ warns that doubting NRD documents in the heritage player issue risks undermining Malaysia’s laws and the citizenship status of all Malaysians.
ACTING Johor Ruler Tunku Mahkota Ismail has raised concerns over why some quarters appear to place greater trust in foreign documents than Malaysia’s own National Registration Department (NRD), following allegations that seven national footballers falsified their heritage player status.
Tunku Ismail said the growing scepticism towards the players’ birth certificates risks weakening confidence in Malaysia’s legal institutions, The Star reported.
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He stated that if official Malaysian documents can be easily dismissed, it could set a precedent that calls into question the citizenship validity of all Malaysians.
“For example, a foreign document says their grandfather was born there, while our document states he was born here. But suddenly the question is, ‘Oh, ours is not correct, theirs is correct’.
“Why should theirs be correct and ours not? If our NRD documents are wrong, then perhaps you might not be Malaysians either.
“If you can question NRD with their letters and documents, maybe you are not Malaysians either,” he said.
The Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) owner also criticised what he described as misplaced priorities within the football community.
He said many suddenly present themselves as “experts” whenever controversies arise, yet remain silent on long-standing structural issues in Malaysian football.
“Everyone is eager to talk, everyone wants to be a coach. But no one talks about why Malaysian football is not progressing, such as cases of financial mismanagement and salary issues,” he said.
Tunku Ismail highlighted grassroots neglect, revealing that financial constraints have forced associations to seek external help.
“For example, Penang FA came to see me asking for RM500,000. I gave it. Why? Because Penang FC did not want to give money to Penang FA for grassroots programmes.
“But when allegations of falsification involving these seven players arise, everyone focuses on that. At that time, it was FIFA itself who approved it. Later it becomes an issue of falsification,” he added.
