Malaysia better off without "Awang Import", says PJ City owner

By Amiril Muttaqien Meketar

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 --The presence of "Awang Import" (imported players) in the Malaysian League (M-League) is not only not beneficial, but also 'weakens' the quality of national football, according to Petaling Jaya (PJ) City FC owner Datuk Seri Vijay Eswaran.

Vijay was of the view that it is time for the Malaysian Football League (MFL) to take drastic action by changing the policy that allows imported players to play in local football competitions.

He said that history has proven that without the participation of imported players, the national football team had achieved proud successes when the Harimau Malaya (national squad) emerged champions for the first time in the AFF Cup in 2010 while the national Under-23 squad won gold twice in a row at the 2009 and 2011 SEA Games.

“I don’t believe we need foreign players…In fact from 2009 to 2011 when the local leagues did without import players, Malaysia clearly played better then.

"Dependence on imported players cannot upgrade our football…. We have to change the way we do things right now, if we don't change, nothing will," he told Bernama.

Currently, Super League teams are allowed to register five import players while those in the Premier League can bring in four outside players.

Imported players have been allowed to play since the Semi-Pro League was introduced in Malaysia in 1989, but FAM in August 2008 decided not to allow them to play from 2009.

However, FAM once again allowed imported players to play in the M-League from the 2012 season.

If the move not to allow import players from continuing to play in the M-League was difficult, Vijay suggested that the quota for imported players be reduced to three players first.

"I prefer that there be no import players at all in the local leagues, but if you want to hire a foreign coach, it is not a problem," he added.

Not only that, he also disagreed with FAM's naturalisation project (use of naturalised players for the national squad) saying that it was detrimental to the existing talent of local players in the national squad.

Thus, Vijay said the step taken by PJ City, who are well known for their 'YakiniLokal' (Have confidence in locals) policy, saw them to be the only Super League team lined up with 100 per cent local strength.

He expected this to help improve the performance of Malaysian players.

-- BERNAMA