Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim confirmed he had resigned as the president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) after Sunday's Football Malaysia Limited Liability Partnership (FMLLP) congress in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

At the same time, the Crown Prince of Johor was officially appointed as chairman of Malaysia Football League (MFL), the new name of FMLLP now undergoing a rebranding exercise.

Tunku Ismail, who held the post of FAM president for one year, confirmed he had submitted his resignation letter with immediate effect to FAM secretary-general Hamidin Amin.

When announcing the matter, he said after leading FAM for one year, he had brought new structural and system changes into the country’s football governing body.

“I have brought in many sponsors, in which for the first time in history, each team competing in the Super League received almost RM3 million as well as RM1 million for each Premier League team. God willing, it will increase," he told reporters after the congress.

“From the structural aspect and relations with fans, we have improved and the national U-23, U-19, and U-16 squads are showing excellent performances and qualified for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time."

Tunku Ismail said he was always evaluated through the performances of the national team, but he did not blame the supporters as many parties saw him as a competitor.

“Many saw me not as FAM president but as Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) owner. They saw me as a competitor and I was evaluated as not wise, not clever," said Tunku Ismail.

As such, he did not want to waste time serving a small group whom he considered "less clever".

Tunku Ismail also revealed he had informed his decision to lead the FAM for only a year to Hamidin, who tried to convince him to lead for one term instead of one year.

Meanwhile, FMLLP chief executive officer Kevin Ramalingam said the appointment of Tunku Ismail as MFL chairman would commence with immediate effect.

According to him, the unanimous decision was made by all 24 shareholders of the organisation.

“The selection of Tunku Ismail as chairman of the MFL was made based on his position as the owner of JDT and not through a post in FAM," said Kevin.

“All 24 shareholders also agreed to redraft the existing constitution to raise the quality and image of the league and the local football scene."

He added the process of name change and rebranding was expected to be completed in 90 days.