What went wrong is now public knowledge. And to save itself, FAM has served you, your ministers, and the government as sacrificial lambs to the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa).

On Oct 18, during a press conference on its appeal against Fifa’s disciplinary action, FAM’s Geneva-based legal counsel Serge Vittoz declared: “FAM was not a party.” If not FAM, then who? The National Registration Department (NRD)? The government?

There was a deafening silence from Vittoz and other FAM officials seated at the main table.

Where it all began

How did all this start?

Mr Prime Minister, you may recall congratulating the national team after its victory over Vietnam in the Asian Cup Group F qualifier on June 10. In a Facebook post the following day, you wrote: “Congratulations, Harimau Malaya. Let yesterday's victory be the start of a more glorious comeback.”

In response, FAM issued a statement crediting not just financial support from you and the government, but also its role in “facilitating documentation” for new heritage players.

“It is hoped that the full support from the country's top leadership and fans will continue to inspire Harimau Malaya's performance,” the statement read.

The perception created by that note of gratitude implied that you had helped with the citizenship papers for the seven players. FAM insinuated that the government created the false documents.

It can be said that FAM now bit the hand that fed it, but put in a corner, it shifted the blame to protect itself and the officials behind this shameful affair.

It fell on Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution to explain, but he stumbled when asked how seven players were granted “instant citizenship.” His defence: they were naturalised under Article 19 of the Federal Constitution, with residency requirements waived under Article 20(1)(e).

He added that since 2018, 23 foreign footballers had received citizenship through naturalisation, and that he exercised discretion under the law.

But legal experts, including Eric Paulsen of Lawyers for Liberty, swiftly dismantled that defence. The discretionary clause applies only to individuals who have already lived in Malaysia - not to those who have never set foot here.

Lack of faith in local talent

This scandal has turned Malaysian identity into a transactional commodity - made-up for short-term sporting glory. It is a betrayal of every citizen who holds his or her MyKad with pride, and a cruel dismissal of every local athlete who has earned the right to wear the national jersey and the many who represented “The king and country.”

What message does this send? That our system does not believe in homegrown talent. To our youth, the message is clear: “Hang up your boots. Focus on your books.”

A government that resorts to shortcuts and deception, importing mercenaries through fraudulent documents, has already decided its true sons are not good enough.

The wins may glitter, but the truth has tarnished them beyond repair. What was once celebrated as a national triumph now stands exposed as a fraud.

We are not champions - we are cheats. The fleeting euphoria of victory has collapsed into the permanent stain of global disgrace.

Ordinarily, NRD director Badrul Hisham Alias would not issue birth certificates on his own volition. Nor would he have bothered to gather “secondary evidence” - whatever that means - without direction. Unseen hands orchestrated this scam.

Please come clean

Therefore, Mr Prime Minister, for the sake of clarity, accountability, and transparency, you must come clean. You must tell us, Malaysians, your role in this sordid exercise for which FAM thanked you profusely.

But since the Fifa Disciplinary Committee’s announcement on Sept 27, you have maintained stoic and indifferent silence, ignoring the loud noise from citizens.

This is a defining moment for your leadership. You cannot dismiss it as a “sports issue” or “don’t involve me.”

But there could have been a request from FAM, which you could have passed to your aides - with a “sila uruskan” (please handle) minute - who took it upon themselves to undertake the “manufacture” of the documents.

I repeat: No public servant would dare to break the law intentionally unless he can rely on the “saya yang menurut perintah” (I who follows orders) – an ethos of the Malaysian civil service.

Enough lies have been concocted to cover up the false narrative. Innocent parties have been drawn into this quagmire of deceit. Several hundred man-hours in terms of productivity have been lost. Large sums of public money have been expanded to cover these lies.

Enough is enough, Mr Prime Minister, you must act. Please clear your name and the country’s - cleanse this rot. Hold those officials sitting on a pedestal to account. Restore the meaning of our anthem, our flag, and the honour of representing Malaysia.

You owe Malaysians the truth. The world is watching - again. Let them see a leader and a nation that holds itself accountable.