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New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Football critic says fix the troubled clubs, not the M-League
KUALA LUMPUR: Saving Malaysian football is not just about overhauling the much-maligned M-League's structure. Former international Hasnizam Uzir said the powers-that-be need to knock the problematic clubs into shape first before anything else. Responding to Deputy Sports Minister Adam Adli's call for a new framework to strengthen club finances and prevent issues like unpaid salaries, the former TV pundit said tougher regulations are needed to keep those in club management on their feet. "We don't need to restructure the league. That's the only competition we have, and we're just going around in circles with the same teams. "We need clubs to have the right modules and better internal management, especially regarding finances." Hasnizam said many Malaysian clubs are still weak in organisation and lack people with proper business knowledge. "If we look at the organisation of these clubs, the main problem is their weak branding and marketing. Most of them don't have people who understand the business side of football or know-how to move it forward," he said. Hasnizam said that while many clubs are still tied to state governments, this relationship needs to be better structured, especially when it comes to support from government-linked companies. "Most clubs are either state football associations or companies owned by the FA. If the chief minister or the FA has shares, the majority shareholder must help the club. "Johor have the backing of Johor Corp and local councils. Selangor have PKNS. But some other teams don't even have that kind of backing," he said. Instead of short-term planning, Hasnizam said clubs should adopt a five-year business plan backed by clear performance indicators, corporate leadership, and teamwork. "In corporate organisations, direction comes from the top. If the top has vision and teamwork, the organisation can generate income. Clubs should set key performance indicators and execute five-year business plans instead of preparing yearly budgets without direction. If they have a CEO who works and is supported by the state, there won't be issues," he said. His comments came just days after Johor Darul Ta'zim owner Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim issued a rebuke on X, appearing to criticise clubs that failed to manage their finances yet, blame external parties for their woes. Several teams — including Perak, Kedah and Sri Pahang — are reported to be withdrawing from next season's Super League due to financial troubles.
New Straits Times
21-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
JS-SEZ crucial lifeline for regional businesses amid rising trade row, says Singapore DPM
JOHOR BARU: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) offers a crucial lifeline for regional businesses to bolster supply chain resilience amid rising global trade tensions, said Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong. Delivering his keynote address at the JS-SEZ joint business and investment forum in the Persada Johor International Convention Centre here today, Gan said the escalating United States-China trade war had disrupted trade between the world's two largest economies, causing ripple effects on businesses in Southeast Asia. "The JS-SEZ presents an opportunity for businesses to strengthen supply chains so they can better respond to volatility and continue growing," he said, calling the initiative "important and timely" in the face of growing global protectionism. The JS-SEZ, encompassing 3,571sq km of southern Johor, aims to streamline cross-border investment, simplify Customs processes, and improve people and goods movement. It targets high-impact sectors including advanced manufacturing, logistics, and the digital economy. Gan cited examples of companies leveraging the zone's advantages, including: * Singapore-based agritech firm Archisen Pte Ltd, which has partnered with Johor Corp's FarmByte Sdn Bhd to build a smart indoor farm in Nusajaya, and is producing about 300 tonnes of leafy greens annually. * Singapore's Agrocorp International, in collaboration with Japan's Megmilk Snow Brand Co Ltd, is setting up a plant-protein facility in Tanjung Langsat to manufacture 6,000 tonnes of sustainable protein isolates from pulses annually. * South Korea's SPC Group has split its operations, with a halal manufacturing plant in Johor and its research and development and headquarters based in Singapore. Singapore has set up a dedicated JS-SEZ project office via the Trade and Industry, Enterprise Singapore and Singapore economic Development board to assist its companies in tapping the zone. This complements Malaysia's Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre in Johor. Gan said there was a need for Malaysia and Singapore to "double down" on connectivity, regulatory streamlining and workforce development to attract more investment, including from businesses not yet present in either country. Present at the forum were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, his deputy, Liew Chin Tong, and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. The event featured panels on regional wealth creation, investment attraction, and supply chain resilience in Asean. Gan concluded that the JS-SEZ, by acting as a bridge between both economies, held the potential to create quality jobs and bolster the region's resilience against evolving trade dynamics.
