Monday, 2 January 2017 | MYT 3:14 PM
Don't be a liability, Tunku Ismail tells Annuar Musa
THE STAR
Annuar (left) and Prince Tunku Ismail.
PETALING JAYA: With the General Election drawing closer, Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim on Monday told Tan Sri Annuar Musa "not to be a liability to the ruling party."
Tunku Ismail reminded Annuar, the Kelantan Football Association (KAFA) president and Umno information chief, of Johor being "a stronghold of Umno."
“The day for people to cast their votes is edging closer, so don't stir up a hornet's nest because there will be consequences.
"Tan Sri, don't be a liability to your own party. You clearly have your own interest within the party,” Tunku Ismail said in a statement posted on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page.
Tunku Ismail said he was aware that Annuar "built the Kelantan Football Association from the beginning."
Thus, he said, Annuar also needs to be responsible for the failures and problems they're facing today.
He said Annuar should forget about leading Malaysian football, adding he should "not be a captain who abandons his ship at the first sight of trouble."
“As you've barely managed to run KAFA properly, it's better that you forget about leading Malaysian football,” Tunku Ismail said.
On a comment by Annuar that JDT (state football association) had "destroyed" Malaysian football market by overpaying its players, Tunku Ismail said it was up to JDT how much it wants to pay its players.
"The local football system today is advanced, and all the teams are now able to afford and compete in the league.
"It is simple maths, JDT at most can only register between 27 and 30 local players at a time.
"How many thousands of players are there in this country? If you want to sign the same players as us, of course you will be spending a lot and eventually your money will be depleted.
"It is up to JDT on how much we want to pay our players.
"There are many other players out there who can play and no one needs to compete with JDT to get the best players.
"Just stay within your means and don't try to compete the JDT way," Tunku Ismail said.
Tunku Ismail also said that Annuar should focus on managing KAFA properly first before commenting on other clubs and states.
“Settle the debt of RM6.7mil before talking about other matters and mind your own business,” he said.
