“We were the powerhouse in Asia once upon a time,” Ultras Malaya spokesperson Lekir Ahmad told Malaysiakini.

In slamming the name change to Harimau Malaysia from Harimau Malaya as unnecessary, Lekir also argued that supporters, including those from Sabah and Sarawak, were more open-minded to the Harimau Malaya nickname.

“So retain the name ‘Harimau Malaya’ but change its ‘contents’ in terms of management,” the news portal quoted Lekir as saying.

Lekir stated the rebranding of FAM should include the way its president is elected.

A percentage of votes, he said, should come from supporters as football was for all the people.

“Not just through votes by the FAM exco and members only.”

FAM president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had previously stated that Harimau Malaysia was more suitable as the national squad belonged to all Malaysians, including those in Sabah and Sarawak.

Abdullah claimed East Malaysians might feel left out with the use of the Harimau Malaya moniker.