Latest news with #PBAKL2025
![[EXCLUSIVE] ‘Inilah Saya': Rajagobal's long-awaited autobiography captures golden era of Malaysian football](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sinarharian.com.my%2Fsinarenglish%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2F2025%2F05%2F31%2F3148615.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[EXCLUSIVE] ‘Inilah Saya': Rajagobal's long-awaited autobiography captures golden era of Malaysian football](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic-mobile-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com%2Fsinar.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Sport
- Sinar Daily
[EXCLUSIVE] ‘Inilah Saya': Rajagobal's long-awaited autobiography captures golden era of Malaysian football
The book, published by Karangkraf, offered a heartfelt, unfiltered account of the man who brought glory back to Malaysian football. Former Harimau Malaya coach, Datuk K. Rajagobal, launched his book entitled "Inilah Saya K. Rajagobal" at the Karangkraf Group sales booth during PBAKL 2025 on May 31, 2025. - Photo by ROSLI TALIB KUALA LUMPUR - After nearly a decade in the making, former Harimau Malaya coach Datuk K. Rajagobal launched his much-anticipated autobiography "Inilah Saya K. Rajagobal." The book, published by Karangkraf, offered a heartfelt, unfiltered account of the man who brought glory back to Malaysian football. Rajagobal's name was etched in Malaysian football history as the one who ended decades-long drought by leading the national team to triumph at the 2009 Sea Games and the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup. Now, the football icon has taken on a new challenge; documenting his journey in his own words. "After witnessing the launch, it is hard to put my feelings into words, but I am truly happy. After such a long journey writing this book, it is finally complete and published. I am especially glad that Malaysians can now buy it and read it. "Through this book, I wanted to share my experiences, my challenges, my struggles and most importantly, the lessons I have learned along the way. I hope it shows the younger generation the importance of perseverance. Life will present hurdles, but we must face them with determination and never give up easily. "My hope is that this book becomes a meaningful resource to inspire and motivate young Malaysians, helping them grow into individuals who are not only resilient but also deeply patriotic. "That is the heart of why I wrote this book, to share my journey in a way that can uplift others," he said during the book launch at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. Former Harimau Malaya coach, Datuk K. Rajagobal (two, left) with Karangkraf Group co-advisor Datuk Muhammad Nasir Hamzah (left), former national goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (two, right) and FAM deputy president Datuk S. Sivasundram (right) during the launching of the book "Inilah Saya K. Rajagobal" at the Karangkraf Group sales booth during PBAKL 2025 on May 31, 2025. - Photo by ROSLI TALIB The book, written in Malay, chronicled Rajagobal's rise from a young footballer in Setapak to becoming one of Malaysia's most successful coaches. He shared the field with legends like the late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari, Datuk R. Arumugam and Datuk Santokh Singh in the golden Selangor team of the 1980s. Rajagobal then reminisced about the moment he would never forget. "The moment which I cherish is in 1979 when I played for Selangor against Singapore in the Malaysia Cup final. That was my first Malaysia Cup final with Selangor, that is the moment which I think I cannot forget. "Selangor had legendary players, including Singapore and to win 2-0 was a special moment," he added. He said he never imagined becoming a coach, let alone leading Harimau Malaya, but a stint as assistant coach for Selangor during the Malaysia Games in Sarawak opened a new path for him. His coaching career, spanning clubs like PKNS, Selangor, Kelantan, Sarawak and Brunei, peaked when he brought home the long-elusive Sea Games gold and Malaysia's first AFF Championship. "After 20 years, we won the Sea Games. That was the beginning. Definitely, it was a proud moment. It was a moment that the nation celebrated. Then came the AFF Suzuki Cup, that was another moment which gave me happiness, emotion and made the whole nation proud. "At that time, probably nobody believed that the national team would do well. So all of a sudden, the turning point and this gave hope for the football fraternity. And that was, I can say, the proudest moment, which I cherish. "Still, at times, it brings back memories; the situation and the atmosphere," he said. Former Harimau Malaya Coach, Datuk K. Rajagobal signing his book purchased by a fan at the launch of the "Inilah Saya K. Rajagobal" book at the Karangkraf Group sales booth during PBAKL 2025 on May 31, 2025. - Photo by ROSLI TALIB When asked why he chose Karangkraf to publish his book, Rajagobal shared that it all began with a chance encounter during a Sinar Daily programme, which sparked the connection. He said attending Sinar Daily's Footy Forum programme gave him the opportunity to meet Karangkraf Group chairman who is also Grup Buku Karangkraf chief executive officer Firdaus Hussamuddin. That initial introduction was what truly set everything in motion, he added. "I was exploring which publisher to approach for my book. Then during the 2022 World Cup, I appeared as a pundit on Sinar Daily's Footy Forum. "It was there that I met someone from Sinar Daily and I mentioned my interest in writing a book. She suggested I speak to Firdaus Hussamuddin. I asked for her contact and said I will follow up. Around the same time, my son also encouraged me to go directly to Karangkraf, since I already had the connection. "So I arranged a meeting and from that very first conversation, everything felt promising. We agreed to explore the idea further. Things progressed naturally from there and I eventually chose to go with Karangkraf. "They are a well-established publisher with solid experience, particularly in Malay-language books. Looking back, I am confident it was the right call, I have no regrets," he shared. He said the book entitled "Inilah Saya K. Rajagobal" has been nearly nine years in the making due to various coaching commitments. Ultimately, he said it was more than a book. It was a heartfelt tribute to Malaysian football and a motivational roadmap for anyone striving to rise above adversity, he added. "It is not only the story about me. It is the story about others to learn and to feel, going through all the stages and to be a better person in life; for their family, for the nation and to be a strong character in any challenges we want to face," he said.
Sinar Daily
6 days ago
- Sport
- Sinar Daily
Naturalised players a short-term fix for Harimau Malaya
KUALA LUMPUR – The debate surrounding the inclusion of naturalised and heritage players in Malaysia's national football team continues and former head coach Datuk K. Rajagobal has offered a clear and balanced perspective. He shared his insights during the launch of his autobiography, 'Inilah Saya K. Rajagobal,' at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) on Satuday. Former Harimau Malaya coach, Datuk K. Rajagobal, launched his book titled 'Inilah Saya K Rajagobal' at the Karangkraf Group sales booth during PBAKL 2025 on Saturday. Photo: Rosli Talib/Sinar 'Honestly, there's been a lot of discussion about using naturalised and heritage players in our national team setup. "In my view, they are necessary for now, but only as a short-term solution. 'What truly matters is our long-term vision. We must not lose sight of grassroots and youth development," he said in an exclusive interview with Sinar Daily after his book launch. Rajagobal, who famously led Harimau Malaya to victory in the 2009 SEA Games and the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, stressed the importance of balance and mentorship in integrating naturalised players. He described that while these players can serve a purpose in the current squad, the team needs to find a healthy balance moving forward. 'Just a few, not many, should be integrated alongside homegrown talents. This way, our local players can learn and grow by playing alongside experienced, high-quality naturalised players who can also act as mentors. 'It's important that any naturalised player we bring in has the quality and experience to elevate the team. "In the short term, yes, they have a role to play. But for the long term, the only path forward is a clear development plan, one that builds toward a national team with its own strong, local identity," he said. Assessing Harimau Malaya's Current Direction Rajagobal also offered a measured assessment of Harimau Malaya's current direction under new head coach Peter Cklamovski, who recently oversaw matches against Nepal and Cape Verde. 'Honestly, Harimau Malaya has only played two matches under the new head coach, Peter Cklamovski. "If I'm not mistaken, the first was against Nepal, and the second, just a few days ago, was against Cape Verde. 'There has definitely been progress, but at the end of the day, the coach is the best person to evaluate the team's performance. "He understands what needs to be done before the crucial match against Vietnam. As for me, I think it's still too early to draw any firm conclusions. We need to see the team play more matches. That said, the early signs are promising and I hope the team continues to build on this momentum and deliver even stronger performances in the games to come," he added. A Coach's Memoir and Life Lessons Rajagobal's remarks were made during the launch of his autobiography, 'Inilah Saya K. Rajagobal,' at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), where he was celebrated as a symbol of Malaysian football's golden era. The book, published by Karangkraf, took nearly nine years to complete and offers a deeply personal look into his life and career as both a player and coach. The autobiography recounts his early years in Setapak, his playing days with Selangor during the 1980s and his journey into coaching after initially serving as an assistant at the Malaysia Games in Sarawak. It covers key moments such as the 1979 Malaysia Cup final and Malaysia's return to glory at the 2009 SEA Games and 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup. More than a football memoir, the book was written to impart life lessons. 'This isn't just about football. It's about perseverance, about facing challenges with resilience. I hope young Malaysians will read it and be inspired,' he said. The book also came about through an unexpected collaboration with Karangkraf, which began after a chance meeting at a Sinar Daily event during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Encouraged by his son and impressed by Karangkraf's publishing expertise, Rajagobal expressed 'no regrets' about entrusting his story to them.
The Sun
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
KPT to expand ‘Telaah' broadcast to foster reading interest, intellectual discussions
KUALA LUMPUR: 'Telaah', a discussion and analysis session of books and works through audio broadcasts, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2025 (PBAKL 2025) yesterday, will be expanded in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE). Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said he has discussed with the Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, and the programme will be expanded to a wider audience, involving students, lecturers, teachers, and schoolchildren to foster a love for reading. ''Telaah' is an initiative borne by the Prime Minister, who is indeed known as a book lover and a leader with a scholarly spirit. In all his speeches, there will surely be quotes from prominent figures and important books that enliven discourse and enlighten the minds of the people. ''Telaah' is not just a programme, it is a movement to revive the interest in reading, the culture of book discussions, and intellectual discussions based on knowledge,' he said in a Facebook post today. The first episode of 'Telaah' last night featured the Prime Minister as a special guest, discussing four important works namely 'Kemiskinan Melayu dan Jalan Kepulihannya' by Za'ba, 'Jejak-Jejak di Pantai Zaman' (Prof Diraja Ungku Abdul Aziz), 'Islam dan Sejarah Kebudayaan Melayu' (Prof Diraja Dr Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas), and 'Islam dan Melayu: Martabat Umat dan Daulat Rakyat' (Datuk Dr Siddiq Fadzil) from his personal library. To embrace the development of digital technology, Zambry said an online book review competition will also be held so that people from all corners of the country can participate. 'Our aspiration is clear: to create a nation that not only reads, but reads with understanding and understands with the spirit of building. 'I hope 'Telaah' becomes a platform to revive the culture of knowledge. From the highest leaders of the country to the grassroots of society, 'Telaah' belongs to everyone. Insya-Allah, we'll meet in the next episode of 'Telaah' after this,' he added. 'Telaah', initiated by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), is a contemporary platform that supports the nation's grand aspiration to cultivate a discourse based on reading and transforming the passion for knowledge into a national practice. Airing once a week on an online platform, 'Telaah' brings together scholars, writers, and the general public in open discussions that foster a deeper understanding of various societal and civilisational issues, in line with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI.
The Sun
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
KPT to expand Telaah to boost reading and intellectual talks
KUALA LUMPUR: 'Telaah', a discussion and analysis session of books and works through audio broadcasts, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2025 (PBAKL 2025) yesterday, will be expanded in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE). Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said he has discussed with the Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, and the programme will be expanded to a wider audience, involving students, lecturers, teachers, and schoolchildren to foster a love for reading. ''Telaah' is an initiative borne by the Prime Minister, who is indeed known as a book lover and a leader with a scholarly spirit. In all his speeches, there will surely be quotes from prominent figures and important books that enliven discourse and enlighten the minds of the people. ''Telaah' is not just a programme, it is a movement to revive the interest in reading, the culture of book discussions, and intellectual discussions based on knowledge,' he said in a Facebook post today. The first episode of 'Telaah' last night featured the Prime Minister as a special guest, discussing four important works namely 'Kemiskinan Melayu dan Jalan Kepulihannya' by Za'ba, 'Jejak-Jejak di Pantai Zaman' (Prof Diraja Ungku Abdul Aziz), 'Islam dan Sejarah Kebudayaan Melayu' (Prof Diraja Dr Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas), and 'Islam dan Melayu: Martabat Umat dan Daulat Rakyat' (Datuk Dr Siddiq Fadzil) from his personal library. To embrace the development of digital technology, Zambry said an online book review competition will also be held so that people from all corners of the country can participate. 'Our aspiration is clear: to create a nation that not only reads, but reads with understanding and understands with the spirit of building. 'I hope 'Telaah' becomes a platform to revive the culture of knowledge. From the highest leaders of the country to the grassroots of society, 'Telaah' belongs to everyone. Insya-Allah, we'll meet in the next episode of 'Telaah' after this,' he added. 'Telaah', initiated by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), is a contemporary platform that supports the nation's grand aspiration to cultivate a discourse based on reading and transforming the passion for knowledge into a national practice. Airing once a week on an online platform, 'Telaah' brings together scholars, writers, and the general public in open discussions that foster a deeper understanding of various societal and civilisational issues, in line with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI.
Malay Mail
01-06-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Anwar laments poor reading culture, says Malaysians must move beyond social media rants
KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians to read more, lamenting the nation's poor reading culture which he said remains far from ideal despite ongoing efforts. He said this reality is at odds with the aspirations of the MADANI government, which is anchored on the values of conviction and a deep appreciation for knowledge. 'Reading has not yet become a culture in our country, and to me, that is disheartening. When we speak of a MADANI nation, it is one that is rooted in conviction and love for knowledge,' he said. How can we claim to love knowledge if we only rely on speeches, opinions... sometimes filled with insults, but not grounded in knowledge? 'Reading just four lines or listening to two-minute rants on social media and forming conclusions, this world is challenging and it demands individuals with deep knowledge,' he said during his speech at the closing ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) 2025 here today. Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka director-general Dr Hazami Jahari and PBAKL 2025 organising chairman Mohd Khair Ngadiron. — Bernama
