PM kongsi berita gembira sempena Piala ASEAN FIFA

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced on Thursday that Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) will broadcast the national football team’s matches in the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup, resolving a significant uncertainty for local fans regarding media rights.

This announcement effectively settled the question that had dominated local sports discourse for several days, as supporters had been left in the dark about which entity held the broadcasting rights for the tournament within Malaysia.

In his direct address to the public, Anwar expressed relief at being able to share the positive news. "Many of you asked me on social media yesterday about the live broadcast of the Harimau Malaya matches in the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup," he wrote. "Alhamdulillah, I want to share good news. RTM will broadcast the Harimau Malaya matches live, starting with the match against Bangladesh tomorrow.

Let us give our full support to the national team!" The Prime Minister’s intervention highlighted the high level of public interest in the tournament and the critical role of state media in ensuring accessibility for the broader population.

RTM subsequently corroborated the Prime Minister’s statement through its own official Facebook channel. The state television network confirmed that it would hold exclusive broadcasting rights for the Malaysia versus Bangladesh match. The post read: "2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup.

Look forward to the exclusive broadcast of the Malaysia vs Bangladesh match on RTM." This confirmation from the broadcaster itself provided the definitive assurance that the match would be available to viewers across the country, ending the speculation that had persisted since the tournament schedule was released.

The timing of the announcement was particularly significant as it came just one day before the kickoff of the national team’s first match. The squad, currently under the management of head coach Tan Cheng Hoe, is set to face Bangladesh in Jakarta, Indonesia. The delay in confirming the broadcasting rights had created a period of anxiety among local supporters, who were eager to know how they could watch their team compete on the regional stage.

The resolution of this issue ensures that fans can prepare to watch the opening game without the distraction of uncertainty over media access.

The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup serves as a major platform for Malaysian football, offering the national team a opportunity to compete against regional rivals and build momentum for future international fixtures. The involvement of RTM, as the primary state broadcaster, underscores the government’s commitment to supporting national sports and ensuring that key sporting events remain accessible to the general public.

By securing the rights for the state broadcaster, the arrangement aligns with broader efforts to promote national unity and pride through sport, allowing millions of viewers to participate in the collective experience of supporting the national team.

The announcement also reflects the increasing integration of social media into the dissemination of official government and sports-related information. The Prime Minister’s direct response to queries on Facebook demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing public concerns, particularly in the realm of national interests such as sports. This direct line of communication helps to mitigate misinformation and ensures that accurate information reaches the public swiftly, a trend that has become increasingly prevalent in Malaysian public life.

As the national team prepares for their journey to Jakarta, the confirmation of the broadcast rights marks a positive step for the football community. The focus now shifts to the performance of the squad on the pitch, with the entire nation expected to rally behind the Harimau Malaya.

The seamless coordination between the Prime Minister’s office and RTM in resolving the broadcasting issue sets a precedent for how future major sporting events may be handled, ensuring that logistical and media-related hurdles do not detract from the sporting spectacle itself. The upcoming match against Bangladesh will thus serve not only as a competitive fixture but also as a testament to the successful collaboration between government and state media in serving the public interest.

Related: Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) · Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim · Kuala Lumpur