{
  "id": 5281286,
  "title": "Stop recycling old faces or lose voting rights, Pekan warns FAM",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/stop-recycling-old-faces-or-lose-voting-rights-pekan-warns-fam",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T07:57:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/09/1524959/stop-recycling-old-faces-or-lose-voting-rights-pekan-warns-fam"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli warned FA of Malaysia (FAM) delegates to stop reusing old faces in the upcoming Sept 17 elective congress or risk losing their voting rights. Despite calls for a complete change, Pekan noted that around 60% of the nominees are familiar faces and former executive committee members. He cautioned that Malaysian football might face another cycle of uncertainty if state affiliates don't elect at least 60-70% new faces for the new Exco lineup. Pekan emphasized the importance of a mix of clean, capable individuals among incumbents, rather than simply recycling the same faces. He also cautioned against factional slate voting, stating that a split between rival camps would destabilize FAM leadership and hinder its direction. Pekan stressed that if delegates uphold the status quo, the incoming administration will struggle to gain public trust from the beginning. He also warned that if state FAs fail to perform properly, their voting rights should be questioned, signalling a critical test for the affiliates in delivering a new era of club-backed reform.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Stop recycling old faces, or risk losing your right to vote.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}