HIS team are simply unyielding in the Super League but off the field, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim is generous in helping the opponents.
For years, it is said that Tunku Ismail has been bailing out others in the M-League.
And yesterday, the Johor Crown Prince confirmed those talks.
The TMJ, as he is popularly known, said he had, over the years, helped four M-League teams — Selangor, Penang, Melaka United and Kelantan — after they faced problems in paying salaries to players.
And Perak FC recently knocked on the TMJ door too.
"Three days ago (Wednesday) they came to see me, and I provided assistance.
"I cannot disclose how much, I gave a bit to help lessen their burden and I hope their problem can be resolved soon," said Tunku Ismail yesterday.
"Since my involvement in football, I had helped plenty of teams but I did not tell the media. I had helped Selangor and Kelantan twice, Penang and Melaka United once, with salary arrears.
"I had also helped the PFAM (Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia)... many don't know right?
"Now everyone knows," said Tunku Ismail who spoke to the media after visiting the National Stadium at Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Tunku Ismail, who is paying the cost for a new pitch at the National Stadium, handed over a mock cheque to Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu in a ceremony.
Work on replanting the grass at the National Stadium is expected to start in January next year.
Tunku Ismail said he will sponsor RM1.2 million to RM1.4m for the initial layout of the pitch.
The pitch will use zeon zoysia grass, which is similar to the one at JDT's homeground, Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
Tunku Ismail said zeon zoysia is the most suitable type of grass for Malaysian weather after he was told that the National Stadium only sees two hours of unobstructed sunlight daily.
Stressing the importance of pitch quality, Tunku Ismail recalled the incident of the Barcelona team refusing to play at the National Stadium due to poor pitch quality, and the match was shifted at the last minute to Shah Alam Stadium in 2013.
"That was a slap in the face and should have been a wake-up call. We should be able to host them (international teams) to come and play against the national team and be proud, not ashamed up to a point that international stars also don't want to play in this stadium," said Tunku Ismail.
The former president of the FA of Malaysia said he is looking into finding a big international club to come and play against Harimau Malaya when the new pitch at the National Stadium is ready. - NST
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