JOHOR BARU: Mara has been affected by the previous sponsorship provided by two of its subsidiaries to the Kelantan Football Association (Kafa).
Rural and Regional Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this when asked to comment on the ongoing investigation, which had led to Pelaburan Mara Bhd and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) stopping its sponsorship for the football team, known as the Red Warriors.
"The effect is on Mara as the two (sponsors) are wholly-owned subsidiaries. They are Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and Pelaburan Mara Bhd. How much was given and when it started have yet to be established.
"I am still waiting for the complete report from the officers.
"As I have said before and pending the issuance of the complete report, each sponsorship must be temporarily halted," said Ismail Sabri when asked about details of the sponsorship.
He was speaking to reporters after opening the new Johor Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) headquarters here yesterday.
On Friday, Kafa adviser Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the team will lose substantial advertising revenue if UniKL and Pelaburan Mara Bhd withdraw their sponsorship for this season.
Annuar, who is also Mara chairman, said the two Mara subsidiaries would adhere to the minister's instruction and would provide a full report on the matter.
A day earlier, Ismail Sabri had ordered for the two Mara subsidiaries to suspend all forms of sponsorship for the Kelantan team this year.
The minister had said that only education-related sponsorship would be permitted, while other sponsorship would have to be scrutinised first.