FAM chief apologizes for forged-citizenship scandal, promises reforms; Malaysia seeks Nepal's help locating missing flood victims

Ab Ghani Hassan, newly installed as president of the Football Association of Malaysia, publicly expressed regret over a controversy in which seven so-called “heritage” players entered the national squad using counterfeit citizenship documents, and vowed that such incidents will not happen again under his tenure. He indicated that the passport status of the implicated players will be examined together with Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, as the federation lacks authority over citizenship matters.

The dispute follows a March ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport that upheld FIFA's determination that the players' documents were forged. In a separate development, Malaysia's attorney-general has been instructed to engage promptly with Nepalese officials to speed up the verification process for 55 Malaysians still missing after devastating floods and landslides in Nepal. Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim informed the cabinet that Nepal has pledged assistance, though legal and court issues remain. The two issues were highlighted in a cabinet briefing alongside updates on Myanmar refugee repatriation.