KUALA LUMPUR: Former FA Cup finalists Sime Darby became the latest football club to announce its withdrawal from the M-League.
Sime Darby secured promotion to the Premier League in October when they defeated Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in the third-tier FAM Cup final.
But the Kuala Lumpur FA-affiliated club announced on Wednesday that they will not take their place in the Premier League nor will the club return to the FAM Cup.
Instead, Sime Darby will focus on junior development while continuing to field a side in the KLFA First Division.
"Sime Darby Football Club officially announces that the club will not be competing in the 2018 Premier League," the club said in a statement on its website.
"However, as an affiliate of KLFA, the club will continue to compete in the KLFA First Division beginning on Dec 7 and give more focus to our Under-12 development programme in Bukit Jelutong."
Following their formation in 2010, Sime Darby secured promotion to the Premier League after winning the FAM Cup the same year.
Under the guidance of coach Ismail Zakaria, Sime Darby became the first club-side to reach the FA Cup final in 2012, which they lost 1-0 to Kelantan, before securing promotion to the Super League in 2013.
Sime Darby remained in the Super League for three seasons but their relegation to the Premier League in 2015 was swiftly followed by demotion to the FAM Cup in the following year.
However, Sime Darby won the FAM Cup for a second time last month under coach Ahmad Yusof only for the club to now decide against taking up a place in the Premier League.
"We would like to thank everyone involved in the club since our formation in 2010," said Sime Darby. "We also extend our appreciation to the undying support of our fans.
"To the players and coaching staff, we wish them the very best in their future endeavours."
Sime Darby's decision follows that of Kuala Terengganu T-Team's withdrawal from the Super League after a decision by the Terengganu FA to amalgamate the club into the state football team.
Kuantan are another club side whose future remains in the balance as Football Malaysia LLP's deadline for confirmation to participate in the 2018 season expires on Wednesday.