Halal industry could dribble Malaysian football clubs out of misery
Malaysia, leader of global halal economy, can boost its sports infrastructure through Islamic bonds, link clubs with halal brands
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) – Malaysia is the undisputed leader of the global halal economy but it has failed to project its leadership into culture and sport — areas where soft power is built, says an opinion piece carried by TwentyTwo13.
Through decades of careful regulatory development, strategic branding, and international trust-building, Malaysia has become the reference point for over 1.9 billion Muslims in matters of halal compliance, writes Shairazi Aiman.
While nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar buy influence through top-tier football, Malaysia has something these countries do not — credibility, trust and system-level leadership in halal economics.
Malaysia’s strength in halal economy remains divorced from its domestic football ecosystem, which has for decades suffered from financial shortfalls, mismanagement and structural stagnation.
Clubs playing in the domestic leagues today live hand-to-mouth, state subsidies keep certain teams afloat, and commercial sponsorship is inconsistent, says Aiman. “But in the modern economy, brands mean more than raw goods. They mean lifestyle. They mean identity. And that’s where football lives.”
The Halal Development Corporation (HDC), Malaysia’s primary platform for halal trade facilitation, “must now think like a cultural-industrial strategist. Clubs can be vehicles for halal SMEs. Matchdays can become platforms for halal bazaars,” argues Aiman.
“Sukuk structures can finance stadiums. Foreign halal conglomerates — food producers from Turkey, logistics giants from the UAE, cosmetics brands from Indonesia — can all tap into the Liga Malaysia ecosystem to build trust with Southeast Asian consumers,” says Aiman.
“Malaysia’s Islamic financial institutions must come to the fore. Clubs can issue sukuk — Islamic bonds — to fund stadiums, academies and infrastructure.”
Takaful (Islamic insurance) schemes for players and ethical revenue-sharing models with grassroots academies can transform how clubs raise capital and build trust.
Using Visit Malaysia 2026 as platform
Malaysia is preparing for Visit Malaysia 2026 — a major global showcase to revive tourism, rekindle trade, and project national pride. Football must be a core pillar of this narrative, the writer says and adds that Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) should launch a vertical platform that revolves around halal sports and lifestyle.
Malaysia Football League (MFL) and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) can pitch the Malaysia League as an investment target to OIC investors, halal venture capital firms and global sports business stakeholders, Aiman suggests.
Terengganu Football Club could strike deals with West African Islamic financial banks. Negeri Sembilan FC could partner with Turkish food and beverage giants entering Southeast Asia.
Selangor Football Club could sell naming rights to halal logistics brands seeking visibility across the Muslim world.
Tourism Malaysia should promote a halal-branded diversity in football tourism — offering packages that combine halal culinary trails, prayer-friendly stadium access and matchday experiences.
Even emerging food and beverage brands from China, keen to gain halal credibility through Malaysia’s gold standard, could become anchor investors in Malaysian clubs.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
