PETALING JAYA: Datuk Rizam Ismail will donate half of his salary as the Sungai Air Tawar assemblyman as a sign of solidarity with Selangor FC following the team's punishment for withdrawing from the Charity Shield match on May 10th.
The state Rural Development, National Unity and Consumer Affairs committee chairman said that the decision to donate half his salary was also made in conjunction with the Lembah Jaya assemblyman Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman, better known as Altimet, and the Kota Damansara assemblyman Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim, Malay language daily Sinar Harian reported.
"I announce the donation of half of next month's state assembly salary to assist Selangor in paying the fine," he stated on Wednesday.
"Whether we are at the top or the bottom, we remain loyal together and hope that the fans will continue to provide strong support for the Red Giants.
"May the players continue to be spirited in facing this challenge and may the Red Giants remain eminent in Malaysian football," he said.
Earlier, the Football League of Malaysia (MFL), in a statement, said that Selangor was fined RM100,000 and docked three points in the 2024/2025 Super League competition following the team's absence from the Charity Shield match against the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
The Red Giants are also required to pay compensation for losses incurred by JDT as the host team of the season-opening match and MFL, the total of which will be informed later.
Additionally, the 14th-week Super League match between Selangor and JDT at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Stadium will also be played without spectators.
Selangor was reportedly forced to withdraw from the Piala Sumbangsih match following an incident where their star striker, Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim, became a victim of an acid attack on May 5th.