Govt rejects RCI to probe 'heritage' footballers citizenship scandal
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said there is no need for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate the alleged forgery case involving “heritage” football players and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
Saifuddin reminded that the issue regarding the alleged falsification of naturalised player documents had already been addressed through ongoing independent investigations and legal processes, including by the police and the MACC.
“In view of this, the ministry is of the opinion that there is no requirement at this time to establish an RCI regarding the issue, as the legal processes and investigations by the relevant authorities are still ongoing,” Saifuddin said in a written parliamentary reply, dated Feb 23.
“Nonetheless, should a reasonable need for an RCI arise in the future, the matter is subject to the jurisdiction of the federal government through the Prime Minister’s Department, in accordance with the provisions of the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1950 (Act 119),” he added.
The home minister had responded to an inquiry from Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) regarding the establishment of an RCI to investigate possible elements of corruption and malpractice involving documents related to the Malaysian citizenship granted to the “heritage” players.
Saifuddin also said that MACC’s preliminary findings had found that the issues involved in the scandal were “technical in nature”, and did not constitute offences under the MACC Act.
He reminded that an internal investigation committee within FAM, chaired by former chief justice Raus Sharif had also been established to oversee the matter.
However, in December, the committee concluded its investigations in frustration due to not having the power to request documents or subpoena witnesses, ultimately recommending that FAM lodge a police report for further investigation.
Tampered certs
The International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) in its investigations found that the seven “heritage” players - Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Manchuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel - had become Malaysian citizens under false pretences.
It found that birth certificates purporting the players’ grandparents were born in Malaysia were forged, with one showing clear signs of tampering.
The investigations also discovered that documents from the players themselves showed that their grandparents had no connection with Malaysia.
On top of that, Fifa also found that the players had “passed” the Malay language aspect of their Malaysian citizenship test despite not speaking the language.
Saifuddin previously told Parliament in October that the players had a basic grasp of Malay.
He also revealed he had exercised his discretion to waive a requirement that they reside in Malaysia for at least 10 years before becoming citizens.
To date, neither Saifuddin nor the National Registration Department has admitted to any wrongdoing.
The case is at the Court of Arbitration for Sport - which had also temporarily lifted a ban on the seven from playing football.
