Malaysia coach Kim Pan-gon react during the match against Kyrgyzstan’s on the World Cup 2026 qualifiers match at National Stadium, Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur.— MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: The Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim hopes Kim Pan-gon can clarify what he meant when he said it was dangerous to explain the reason behind his resignation as Harimau Malaya head coach.
Pan-gon announced his resignation as the national team coach due to personal commitments in a press conference on Tuesday.
Tunku Ismail said the South Korean should be specific about what he said in the press conference.
"What's so difficult? Let the lot of them ask him what he meant by saying it is 'dangerous'. The fans, politicians and media. Ask him what he meant by 'dangerous'.
"Be more specific. Scared to be shot? Scared to be kidnapped? Of being kicked? Be direct!" said Tunku Ismail on his official X account.
The crown prince was responding to a posting from social media user @RimauXI, who posted a video clip taken from Pan-gon's press conference.
In the video, Pan Gon was responding to a question about what changed since his previous press conference when he expressed his desire to continue to improve the national team.
Pan-gon responded by saying: "Same answer. I speak to Datuk president ( FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin) every single day. That I cannot talk to you...here...very danger(ous). He knows all the details. So that thing...I must honour each other."
Tunku Ismail also posed a question to the social media user who posted the video clip.
"@RimauXI, you have been to my house before, were you beaten? Bringing the chart about a conspiracy in FAM. But when I asked for evidence, you told me this was all only a theory. So is this all another created conspiracy theory?" said Tunku Ismail, who later tweeted about him meeting Pan-gon for a coffee chat.
"Good luck and all the best Kim Pan-gon. Had a good football discussion."
Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have also announced that Pan-gon's assistant Paul Marti Vicente will be the interim coach for the national team.
