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Independent Singapore
a day ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Brunei DPMM part ways with Singapore Premier League, returns to Malaysia Super League
SINGAPORE: There has been a mixed reaction from the football fans in both Singapore and Malaysia when it was announced that Brunei DPMM Football Club will no longer be participating in the upcoming season of the Singapore Premier League (SPL). Instead, Brunei's only professional club will be making a return to the Malaysian Super League. DPMM last played in Malaysia during the 2007-2008 season before making the switch to Singapore's professional league for the 2009 season. The latest development was first announced by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on May 22, stating that it acknowledges that Brunei DPMM will not participate in the SPL after the 2024/25 season. 'The decision was reached following discussions between FAS and DPMM, with the Brunei-based club expressing their intent to compete in other leagues. As the league's only overseas-based club, they brought diversity, professionalism, and a competitive edge that enriched the local football scene,' said FAS in the media release. FAS general secretary, Mr Chew Chun-Liang added that while the association are sad to see the DPMM leave the SPL, they understand the club's position and both (FAS and DPMM) are parting ways with the full support and appreciation from the FAS. 'DPMM has been a respected member of the SPL and a valued partner in the development of regional football. Their staff and players have consistently displayed an exemplary sporting spirit, and the club's impact on Singapore football will be long remembered. We wish them the very best in their future endeavours,' said FAS General Secretary Mr Chew Chun-Liang. Singapore Premier League 2024-2025 season final standings. (Photo: Facebook screengrab/SingaporePremierLeague) This year's SPL was won by a local club, Lion City Sailors, on 72 points, eight points ahead of second-place Tampines Rovers. DPMM ended the season in fifth position on 44 points. They won 12 matches, drew eight and suffered 12 losses. DPMM failed to advance to the Singapore Cup final, as they were edged out 5-2 on aggregate by Sailors in the semi-finals. In the other semi-finals, Tampines faced a tough battle against Thai side BG Pathum, with the SPL club eventually winning 4-3 on aggregate after extra time in the second leg. For a former footballer who had previously played for a mid-table team in the SPL, he wishes DPMM all the best for their return to the Malaysian League and hopes that FAS will now prioritise elevating the local professional league. 'I do not have anything against foreign clubs playing in Singapore. I have played against DPMM and also the Japanese club Albirex Niigata (S) during my playing career. These foreign clubs certainly bring excitement to the league. 'However, we have seen several foreign clubs come and go throughout the years. They need to bring value to the whole football ecosystem in Singapore,' shared the former footballer with The Independent Singapore . While some welcomed the move by DPMM, others questioned the club's topsy-turvy decision, which had brought them to play in both Singapore and Malaysia in recent years. 'The atmosphere was good when either Brunei or DPMM played in the Malaysian league. But the club has to be consistent and focus on long-term goals to develop their players, who form the bulk of their national team,' said Azman, a 50-year-old football fan in Malaysia. The midfielder, who wants to remain anonymous, feels that FAS should now focus on the growth and development of local clubs rather than inviting more foreign clubs to compete in Singapore in the future. 'We have always heard talks of expanding the league, so now we should focus on assisting local clubs to improve their standard and for FAS to do more in promoting local football and the league. For clubs that have aspirations to play in the SPL, they should receive the necessary guidance and expertise from FAS,' added the former Singapore Premier League footballer. MALAYSIA SUPER LEAGUE TO FEATURE 14 CLUBS, PERAK AND KEDAH AXED The new Malaysia Super League season is expected to start in August. It will feature 14 clubs, including the inclusion of two clubs, Melaka Football Club and Immigration Football Club, champions and runners-up of the Amateur Football League's (AFL) A1 League. DPMM will join the ranks of Johor Darul Ta'zim. The club owned by Johor's Crown Prince have dominated and won the Malaysia Super League title consecutively from 2014 to 2025. The remaining clubs for the new Super League season are: Selangor, Sabah, Terengganu, Penang, Kuching City, Sri Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur City, PDRM, and Kelantan. Citing financial issues, both Perak and Kedah have been dropped from the upcoming Malaysia Super League season. However, according to AFL chairman Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi, both clubs will still continue to be active in the local football league and will participate in the AFL A1 league for the new season. Johor lifted their third consecutive Malaysia Cup, winning 2-1 against Pahang on April 26, 2025 at the Bukit Jalil Stadium. (Photo: Facebook screengrab/malaysianfootballleague) Following the announcement by FAS on May 22, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) released a statement a day later to welcome the Brunei club for the upcoming 2025-2026 Malaysia Super League. 'DPMM FC will play as an invited club after receiving approval from the International Football Federation (FIFA) to participate in Malaysia's professional league, the Super League, which is expected to begin in August 2025. 'MFL warmly welcomes the presence of DPMM FC to add more competition and excitement to the Malaysian League 2025–2026 after their last appearance in the Super League in 2008,' read the statement by MFL. It was not the first time that a Brunei-based club had played in the Malaysian league. Prior to that, the Brunei Football Association had sent a team, mostly made up of their national team players, which debuted in the 1979 Malaysia Cup and later played during Malaysia's semi-pro league era in the 80s and 90s. Brunei previously won the Malaysia Cup in 1999, defeating Sarawak 2-1 at the iconic Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. For club-side DPMM, their best ever finish in Malaysia was third place during the 2005-2006 Super League season.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Brunei DPMM to exit Singapore Premier League after 2024-25 season
Brunei DPMM's Miguel Oliveira (left) in action during the Singapore Cup match against Young Lions Ryaan Sanizal at Jalan Besar Stadium on Feb 15. PHOTO: ST FILE SINGAPORE - After a month of uncertainty and speculation, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) confirmed on May 22 that Brunei DPMM will not participate in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) after the 2024-25 season. The decision comes after discussions between the FAS and DPMM, with the Brunei-based club indicating that intent to compete in other leagues. FAS general secretary Chew Chun-Liang. said in a statement: 'DPMM has been a respected member of the SPL and a valued partner in the development of regional football. Their staff and players have consistently displayed an exemplary sporting spirit, and the club's impact on Singapore football will be long remembered. We wish them the very best in their future endeavours. 'While we are sad to see them go, we understand the club's position and we part ways with our full support and appreciation. 'The SPL remains committed to growing the game in Singapore and supporting our participating clubs. Our league continues to be a key platform for nurturing local talent, fostering competitive play, and engaging our local football community. Fans can continue to expect exciting SPL matches and opportunities to support their teams in the coming seasons.' On April 21, The Straits Times reported that DPMM's participation in next season's SPL was in doubt as the club had expressed their interest to return to the Malaysia Super League (MSL) and were eyeing Geylang International striker Tomoyuki Doi. DPMM coach Jamie McAllister said then that the move was 'not confirmed yet', but the club said in a post on their website that talks for a return to the Malaysian competition were looking 'positive'. DPMM had taken part in the second-tier Malaysia Premier League in 2005-06 and gained promotion to the top-tier MSL, where they finished third and 10th in the following seasons. They joined the SPL when it was known as the in 2009 and won the League Cup. However, they were removed from the league after Fifa imposed a global ban on the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam following government interference in its affairs. They rejoined the in 2012, winning it in 2015 and 2019. They did not defend their title in 2020 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and travel restrictions in their country. After sitting out the 2021 and 2022 seasons, they returned for the 2023 campaign, finishing seventh in the nine-team competition. Currently sixth in the SPL standings, DPMM will play their final league match against Hougang United on May 24. Three days later, they will meet Lion City Sailors in the second leg of the Singapore Cup semi-final, after losing 3-2 in the first leg on May 21. DPMM general manager Mohamad Ali Haji Momin said in a statement: 'Over the years, we have been privileged to be part of a league that upholds the highest standards of professionalism, competition, and sportsmanship. More than just football, our time in the SPL has given us the invaluable gift of camaraderie, shared experiences, and lasting friendships. 'The warmth, hospitality, and unwavering support extended to us by FAS and the Singapore football community have made our participation deeply meaningful, and for this, we are truly grateful.' With DPMM's exit, the SPL will be left with only eight teams. But ST previously reported that there could be a replacement for the 2025-26 season, with the possible inclusion of Tengah FC. Melvyn Teoh is a sports journalist at The Straits Times. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Barnama
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
Brunei's DPMM FC Confirms Malaysia Super League Challenge
KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- Brunei-based club DPMM FC has confirmed its participation in the 2025/2026 Malaysia Super League (MSL) season, even as the Malaysian Football League (MFL) remains tight-lipped on the official number of teams for the upcoming campaign. The club made the announcement in a statement on the signing of Penang FC defender Mohammad Fairuz Zakaria. In the same statement, DPMM also confirmed that both Bruneian and Malaysian players will be regarded as local players in the team's roster for the new MSL season. bootstrap slideshow 'Fairuz Zakaria has agreed to join DPMM FC for the upcoming Malaysia Super League season 2025/2026. Bruneian players as well as Malaysian players are considered local players for DPMM FC for this MSL season, which is very good news for us. 'He is the first Malaysian player that will be in the DPMM roster. Fairuz Zakaria 27, has been a regular in the team for Penang FC last season and DPMM is hoping that he would do well with the team in the upcoming season,' according to a statement on the club's official website. Last Friday, the First Instance Body (FIB), an independent licensing authority, stated that the document review process for clubs applying for the National License to compete in the 2025/2026 season is still ongoing. This follows media reports suggesting several teams may withdraw from the competition. DPMM, Brunei's most established football club and currently the only professional team in the country, is still completing its remaining fixtures in the Singapore Premier League. -- BERNAMA
New Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Kedah chamber lauds plan to ease US tariff impact on SMEs
ALOR STAR: The Kedah Malay Chamber of Commerce (DPMM) has praised the federal government's swift response to mitigate US tariffs on Malaysian SMEs. Welcoming what it described as a holistic and timely approach, the chamber said the six initiatives announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are vital in strengthening the resilience of local SMEs and protecting the livelihoods of over 11 million workers. "We commend the Prime Minister's announcement during the special parliamentary session, which outlined six key government measures to address the repercussions of the retaliatory tariffs imposed by the United States. "These measures reflect the government's clear concern for the challenges currently faced by Malaysia's trade sector and its continued commitment to ensuring the resilience and sustainability of SMEs, which make up more than 97 per cent of all registered businesses in Malaysia and provide over 11 million jobs," the chamber told the New Straits Times. The chamber cautioned that in the short term, SMEs reliant on the US export market or its supply chains could face operational disruptions, rising costs, and business uncertainty. During the special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Anwar announced the government's decision to increase its guarantee under the Business Financing Guarantee Scheme by RM1 billion, to help SME exporters secure loans from commercial banks in the wake of the US tariffs. He also revealed that an additional RM500 million would be channelled as soft loan financing through development financial institutions, forming part of the government's six-pronged strategy to stabilise the economy and protect national interests in the short and medium term. Last month, the Kedah DPMM expressed serious concerns about the significant impact of the wide-ranging US tariffs, and called on the government to devise a targeted plan to cushion the blow for local SME players. Commenting further on Anwar's latest announcement, the chamber also welcomed the RM50 million allocation to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), noting that it would provide SMEs with greater opportunities to explore new international markets through participation in trade exhibitions and business matching sessions. "This move is crucial in reducing over-reliance on a single market such as the United States, while capitalising on emerging opportunities in rapidly expanding regional markets such as BRICS, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and Asean member states," the chamber said. Kedah DPMM also praised the government's assurance to maintain Bumiputera policies and protect local vendors during international trade negotiations. "This assurance reinforces confidence among local SMEs that their interests remain a government priority. It is essential to preserve a fair and inclusive business ecosystem, particularly for local enterprises still in their growth stages," it added.
Straits Times
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Uncertainty over Brunei DPMM's participation in next Singapore Premier League season
SINGAPORE – A huge question mark is hanging over Brunei DPMM's participation in next season's Singapore Premier League (SPL), with the Bruneian club indicating their interest to return to the Malaysia Super League (MSL). DPMM stated on their website recently that they are eyeing Geylang International striker and the SPL's record-breaking top scorer Tomoyuki Doi for the MSL next term. 'With the signing of Doi, it will help DPMM to excel in the league for their debut season in the Malaysia Super League,' DPMM added of the Japanese, who has racked up 42 goals and 10 assists in 27 SPL games for the Eagles. When contacted, DPMM coach Jamie McAllister said that the move is 'not confirmed yet', but the club said in another post on their website that talks for a return to the Malaysian competition are looking 'positive'. On April 21, Malaysian daily New Straits Times also reported on the Bruneian side's keenness to be part of the MSL again. If the move goes ahead, the SPL will be left with only eight teams. But the Straits Times understands that there could be a replacement, as the 2025-26 season could possibly see the inclusion of Tengah FC. Asked to comment on the situation, a Football Association of Singapore (FAS) spokesperson said: 'Brunei DPMM is a long-time, valued partner of our local football fraternity and we are looking forward to watching them compete for honours in the upcoming Singapore Cup semi-finals.' 'We have an active Request for Proposal in process, and this is part of our efforts to refresh and rejuvenate the league competition, and we will make announcements on any new developments in due course,' the spokesperson added, referring to its search for new SPL clubs. Tengah had received 'in-principle approval' to participate in the 2024-25 SPL campaign. But they decided to withdraw a month before the season kicked off in May 2024, after the due diligence process took longer than expected. Tengah chairman Louis Amalorpavanathan told ST then: 'The process... took longer than expected. It's been a while since a new club were admitted into the SPL, so I think both us and the FAS learnt a lot from the exercise. 'But rather than rush to kick off only a month away, we felt it would be the more responsible thing to do to compete in 2025-26.' If DPMM's move goes ahead, it would come at a time when some MSL clubs have been hit by financial issues, making it uncertain if they will be able to take part next season. DPMM had taken part in the second-tier Malaysia Premier League in 2005-06 and gained promotion to the top-tier MSL, where they finished third and 10th in the following seasons. They joined the SPL when it was known as the in 2009 and won the League Cup. However, they were removed from the league after Fifa imposed a global ban on the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam following government interference in their affairs. DPMM rejoined the in 2012, winning it in 2015 and 2019. But they were unable to defend their title in 2020 after the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. When the season resumed later that year amid safe-management measures, they had to withdraw due to travel restrictions in their country. After sitting out the 2021 and 2022 seasons, they returned to SPL for the 2023 campaign, finishing seventh in the nine-team competition. With five games left this season, they are in the same position but have reached the last four of the Singapore Cup where they will face the Lion City Sailors. Melvyn Teoh is a sports journalist at The Straits Times. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
