Kuching: The rise of Kuching City FC is among the positive developments in the 2025-2026 Malaysia League (M-League) competition, according to local sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli. He said Kuching City's achievement of finishing second in the Super League, reaching the Malaysia Cup final, and booking a ticket to the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL 2) next season was beyond many expectations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Pekan highlighted that Kuching City's success was particularly noteworthy given their modest budget compared to other top teams. The team managed to outperform favourites such as Selangor, Terengganu, and Kuala Lumpur City, finishing just behind perennial champions JDT (Johor Darul Ta'zim) in the Super League standings. Pekan noted that Kuching City was one of the most solid defensive teams, marking a positive achievement for the league this season.
However, Pekan pointed out that the domestic league continues to grapple with several long-standing issues, including salary arrears, uneven team quality, refereeing standards, and relatively low match attendance. While improvements have been noted in resolving salary delays, some Super League clubs have yet to fully address outstanding payments.
Pekan attributed financial instability as a factor contributing to the widening gap between teams, which is evident in several one-sided results. The expectation for Super League matches is not to witness scores like 10-0 or 14-1, indicating a significant disparity between teams.
On the refereeing front, Pekan acknowledged improvements in the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology but suggested that further refinement is necessary. He also remarked on the use of foreign or international referees in the 2025-2026 Malaysia Cup final, which indirectly suggests that local referees have yet to gain the trust to handle significant matches.
Pekan also expressed concerns over logistical issues and last-minute fixture changes, which impact both fans and teams. Looking forward, he called for stronger enforcement of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations and urged clubs to adopt more professional management structures. Pekan emphasized that well-governed clubs with sustainable finances are crucial for improving league competitiveness.
For the record, JDT continued their dominance this season by winning the Super League, FA Cup, and Malaysia Cup, completing a fourth consecutive domestic treble.