Back us, don't bash us, says Harimau Malaya coach Cklamovski

New Straits Times

19-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Harimau Malaya coach Peter Cklamovski has lashed out at critics of the national team, particularly slamming comments made by a legendary former defender as "agenda-driven" and "ill-informed".
The Australian questioned the motives behind the criticism, expressing disappointment that someone who once represented the country would seek to "bring us down".
"I don't understand it. Why would someone try to attack the national team? Our own people are trying to drag us down," said Cklamovski at a press conference in Johor Baru on Monday.
"You mentioned the article or interview yesterday. That's someone who once wore the national jersey. And now they're holding us back. Maybe that's why Malaysian football is where it is today."
Cklamovski was responding to remarks by former international Datuk Santokh Singh, a mainstay of Malaysia's 1980 Olympic squad, who had claimed at a sports event in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday that the country's football identity is being eroded by foreign influence.
Santokh labelled the FA of Malaysia as the "FA of Mat Salleh (foreigners)" and alleged that local coaches and players were being sidelined.
But Cklamovski didn't hold back in his response.
"The statement was wrong. Where are the Malaysian coaches? They're right here — Nafuzi (Zain), Hai-O (Hairuddin Omar) and Aidil (Zafuan Radzak) are with me. They're national legends," he said.
He also pointed out the involvement of ex-international Shukor Adan and technical director Tan Cheng Hoe in the current setup.
"My staff and I are working closely with local coaches. Just a few days ago, we were at the pro licence course helping them. The facts are there.
"You fight with a fool, you start to look like a fool. I won't go down that road."
Cklamovski, who took charge of the national team earlier this year, said his team had conducted a thorough assessment of Malaysian football — from matches and training sessions to youth development — in order to find lasting solutions.
"Malaysian football needs help. The problems won't be fixed overnight or in one training camp," he said.
"But we have a plan to move forward — small steps that must be built over time."
He highlighted the struggles faced by past generations of players, including poor training conditions.
"When I inherited this team, I saw where they'd been training — on a concrete pitch. That's unacceptable, but it's what they've had to endure, and I respect that."
Cklamovski urged critics to put personal agendas aside and focus on the progress being made.
"Why all this negativity around the national team project? It doesn't make sense.
"If we eliminate the noise and focus on facts and the backing we have from the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim — then we can start moving forward."