I am proud to lead a football club that does not depend on government funds. In fact, Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (JDT) have refused to use funds from the State Government since 2013 because it’s the people’s money and could be better used for other purposes that would benefit the people, more so during testing times the Covid-19 pandemic has brought upon all walks of life.
I am proud that JDT have our own business strategies — including commercialisation — to generate funds and invest into long-term projects instead of merely waiting for the State Government to build infrastructure and even release funds on a yearly basis.
What’s currently happening in the Malaysian football scene is not real privatisation. It’s merely a facade where things have only changed on paper, but old practices remain and government funds are still relied upon.
When I created JDT and privatised the club in 2013, there were some who ridiculed us. JDT have now recorded multiple successes on and off the pitch while other teams are only today, 2020 thinking of their new logos.
HRH Major General Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Crown Prince of Johor
Hidup Johor Demi Johor