FAM president Joehari Ayub, who chaired the meeting, said the appointment was made in recognition of Hamidin’s credibility, experience, and contributions to football development both locally and internationally over the past 30 years.

Speculation over Hamidin’s appointment as honorary president arose after he announced that he would not defend his position as FAM president at the election congress in January.

“We do need his presence, particularly given his extensive network with Fifa, the Asean Football Federation, Asian Football Confederation, as well as government bodies and the private sector – we need those connections.

“His appointment as honorary president also adds value to the current leadership of FAM,” Joehari said at a press conference after FAM’s first EGM of 2025 here.

He also said there was no issue of overlapping powers between himself and Hamidin.

“Our roles are different. Hamidin’s role is more advisory, and he also serves as an ambassador for FAM.

“Like I said, it’s not a matter of overshadowing or anything like that. It’s about how this can contribute positively to FAM, and to me, we have to remain objective,” he said.

He added that the appointment was unanimously supported by all delegates present.

Hamidin is the second person to be appointed to the post. In 2014, the FAM congress conferred the same title on the late Sultan Ahmad Shah, who led FAM from 1984 to 2014.