Liga Semi-Pro ( en, Semi-Pro League) was a semi-pro
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...
league in Malaysia that operated from 1989 until 1993. The league was managed by
Football Association of Malaysia
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM, ms, Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia) is the national governing body of football in Malaysia responsible for organising the Malaysia national football team within the country. The Football Association of ...
. It consist of two divisions, the
Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1 and
Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2. Liga Semi-Pro was official established in 1989 as a semi-pro league competition for football team in Malaysia to qualify for
Piala Malaysia.
During its inaugural season in 1989, 17 teams participated in the league divided into two divisions where nine teams were in Divisyen 1 and eight teams in Divisyen 2.
Under the new format, only the top six teams in Divisyen 1 and the Divisyen 2 champions and runners-up will be involved in the Piala Malaysia.
Piala Malaysia was played from the quarter-final stage, scheduled for November after the league was finished. The Piala Malaysia quarter-final and semi-final matches will be played on a home and away basis.
The league was the nation's top-tier league until it was succeeded by the formation of Malaysian first professional football league, the
Liga Perdana in 1994 by Football Association of Malaysia.
History
Origin
The concept of an annual competition between the states in Malaysia goes back more than 95 years. In 1967 the
Malaya Cup was replaced by the
Piala Malaysia but the essentially amateur ethos continued until the semi-pro football league was introduced by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in 1979 as a 'halfway house' towards full professional status.
This football league competition involving the representative sides of the state football associations was first held in Malaysia in 1979. When it began, it was intended primarily as a qualifying tournament for the final knock-out stages of the
Piala Malaysia. It was not until 1982 that a league trophy was introduced to recognise the winners of the preliminary stage as the league champions. Over the years, the league competition has gained important stature in its own right. From 1982 until 1988 the league is an amateur status continue its purpose as qualifying round for Piala Malaysia and only in 1989 it has officially changes to a new format as Liga Semi-Pro and was also just recognised as
Malaysian League
The Malaysian League or also known as the M-League (Malay: ''Liga Malaysia'' or ''Liga-M'') is a terminology used to describe the professional association football league in Malaysia. The terminology was mainly used to describe the league and it ...
.
Semi-Pro league system (1989–1993)
In early days, Malaysian football league system consist of amateur league before the changes in 1989 when it was known fully as the Liga Semi-Pro from 1989 to 1993.
The formation of Liga Semi-Pro in 1989 has introduced a two-tier division of football league in Malaysia.
Initially the only teams allowed to participate in the league were the state FA's sides, teams representing the
Armed Forces
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
and the
Police, and teams representing the neighbouring countries of
Singapore and
Brunei (though the
Football Association of Singapore
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) is the governing body responsible for the administration of football in Singapore. Established in 1892 as the Singapore Football Association (SFA), it is the oldest football association in all of As ...
pulled out of the Malaysian League after the 1994 season following a dispute with the Football Association of Malaysia over gate receipts, and has not been involved since).
In 1989 to 1993, Liga Semi-Pro, the football league in Malaysia was divided into two levels:
* First Division:
Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1
* Second Division:
Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1
The inaugural season of Liga Semi-Pro consisted of nine teams in Divisyen 1 and eight teams in Divisyen 2. The Malaysian Police joined Divisyen 2 in 1990. Games were played on a home and away basis for about four months roughly between the end of April or early May and the end of August or early September.
For the first season three points were awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss, but in subsequent seasons this was changed to a 2,1,0 basis. At the end of the League competition the top three placed teams in both Divisions received prize money while two were relegated/promoted and a play off was staged between the eighth placed team in Divisyen 1 and the third placed team in Divisyen 2. The top six teams in Divisyen 1 and top two in Divisyen 2 also proceeded to the quarter-finals of the Piala Malaysia.
1989 season
In its inaugural season, the league consist of teams as below.
Divisyen 1:
Pahang, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Sarawak, Johor and Selangor.
*
Selangor (1989 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1 champions)
*
Kuala Lumpur
*
Kedah
*
Pahang
*
Johor
*
Sarawak
*
Singapore
*
Penang
Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...
(Relegated to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2)
*
Kelantan (Relegated to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2)
League Table:-
1.
Selangor - 33 PTS (1989 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1 champions)
2.
Kuala Lumpur - 32 PTS
3.
Kedah - 28 PTS
4.
Pahang - 27 PTS
5.
Johor - 25 PTS
6.
Sarawak - 21 PTS
7.
Singapore - 13 PTS
8.
Penang
Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...
- 13 PTS (Relegated to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2)
9.
Kelantan - 9 PTS (Relegated to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2)
Divisyen 2:
Malacca, Armed Forces, Negri Sembilan, Perlis, Terengganu, Brunei, Sabah and Perak.
*
Perlis (1989 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2 champions)
*
Perak
Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
(Promoted to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1)
*
Sabah (Promoted to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1)
*
Terengganu
*
Malacca
Malacca ( ms, Melaka) is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca. Its capital is Malacca City, dubbed the Historic City, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site si ...
*
Armed Forces
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
*
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan (, Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Nogoghi Sombilan'', ''Nismilan'') is a state in Malaysia which lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the s ...
*
Brunei
League Table:-
1.
Perlis - 28 PTS (1989 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2 champions)
2.
Perak
Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
- 26 PTS (Promoted to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1)
3.
Sabah - 23 PTS (Promoted to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1)
4.
Terengganu - 22 PTS
5.
Malacca
Malacca ( ms, Melaka) is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca. Its capital is Malacca City, dubbed the Historic City, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site si ...
- 20 PTS
6.
Armed Forces
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
- 16 PTS
7.
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan (, Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Nogoghi Sombilan'', ''Nismilan'') is a state in Malaysia which lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the s ...
- 14 PTS
8.
Brunei - 4 PTS
1990 season
In its second season, the league consist of teams as below.
Divisyen 1:
*
Selangor (1990 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1 champions)
*
Singapore
*
Perak
Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
*
Kuala Lumpur
*
Johor
*
Kedah
*
Pahang
*
Sabah
*
Perlis (Relegated to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2)
*
Sarawak (Relegated to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2)
League Table:-
1.
Selangor - 25 PTS (1990 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1 champions)
2.
Singapore - 25 PTS
3.
Perak
Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
- 24 PTS
4.
Johor - 20 PTS
5.
Kuala Lumpur - 19 PTS
6.
Kedah - 19 PTS
7.
Pahang - 18 PTS
8.
Sabah - 15 PTS
9.
Perlis - 11 PTS (Relegated to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2)
10.
Sarawak - 5 PTS (Relegated to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2)
Divisyen 2:
*
Terengganu (1989 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2 champions)
*
Kelantan (Promoted to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1)
*
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan (, Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Nogoghi Sombilan'', ''Nismilan'') is a state in Malaysia which lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the s ...
*
Armed Forces
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
*
Malacca
Malacca ( ms, Melaka) is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca. Its capital is Malacca City, dubbed the Historic City, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site si ...
*
Penang
Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...
*
Brunei
*
Police
League Table:-
1.
Terengganu - 23 PTS (1990 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2 champions)
2.
Kelantan - 20 PTS (Promoted to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1)
3.
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan (, Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Nogoghi Sombilan'', ''Nismilan'') is a state in Malaysia which lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the s ...
- 18 PTS
4.
Armed Forces
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
- 15 PTS
5.
Malacca
Malacca ( ms, Melaka) is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca. Its capital is Malacca City, dubbed the Historic City, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site si ...
- 13 PTS
6.
Penang
Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...
- 10 PTS
7.
Brunei - 8 PTS
8.
Police - 5 PTS
1991 season
In its third season, the league consist of teams as below.
Divisyen 1:
*
Johor (1991 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1 champions)
*
Pahang
*
Perak
Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
*
Kuala Lumpur
*
Selangor
*
Terengganu
*
Sabah
*
Singapore (1991 Liga Semi-Pro relegation play-off)
*
Kedah (Relegated to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2)
*
Kelantan (Relegated to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2)
League Table:-
1.
Johor - 22 PTS (1991 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1 champions)
2.
Pahang - 21 PTS
3.
Perak
Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
- 20 PTS
4.
Kuala Lumpur - 20 PTS
5.
Selangor - 19 PTS
6.
Terengganu - 18 PTS
7.
Sabah - 18 PTS
8.
Singapore - 14 PTS (1991 Liga Semi-Pro relegation play-off) (Stay)
9.
Kedah - 11 PTS (Relegated to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2)
10.
Kelantan - 11 PTS (Relegated to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2)
Divisyen 2:
*
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan (, Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Nogoghi Sombilan'', ''Nismilan'') is a state in Malaysia which lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the s ...
(1991 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2 champions)
*
Sarawak (Promoted to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1)
*
Penang
Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...
(1992 Liga Semi-Pro promotion play-off)
*
Police
*
Perlis
*
Malacca
Malacca ( ms, Melaka) is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca. Its capital is Malacca City, dubbed the Historic City, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site si ...
*
Brunei
*
Armed Forces
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
League Table:-
1.
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan (, Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Nogoghi Sombilan'', ''Nismilan'') is a state in Malaysia which lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the s ...
- 19 PTS (1991 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2 champions)
2.
Sarawak - 18 PTS (Promoted to Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1)
3.
Penang
Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...
- 18 PTS (1991 Liga Semi-Pro promotion play-off) (Stay)
4.
Police - 16 PTS
5.
Perlis - 15 PTS
6.
Malacca
Malacca ( ms, Melaka) is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca. Its capital is Malacca City, dubbed the Historic City, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site si ...
- 10 PTS
7.
Brunei - 10 PTS
8.
Armed Forces
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
- 6 PTS
1992 season
In its fourth season, the league consist of teams as below.
Divisyen 1:
*
Pahang (1992 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1 champions)
*
Terengganu
*
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan (, Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Nogoghi Sombilan'', ''Nismilan'') is a state in Malaysia which lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the s ...
*
Sarawak
*
Kuala Lumpur
*
Perak
Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
*
Johor
*
Sabah (1992 Liga Semi-Pro relegation play-off)
*
Singapore (1992 Liga Semi-Pro relegation)
*
Selangor (1992 Liga Semi-Pro relegation)
League Table:-
1.
Pahang - 27 PTS (1992 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1 champions)
2.
Terengganu - 21 PTS
3.
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan (, Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Nogoghi Sombilan'', ''Nismilan'') is a state in Malaysia which lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the s ...
- 20 PTS
4.
Sarawak - 19 PTS
5.
Kuala Lumpur - 18 PTS
6.
Perak
Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
- 17 PTS
7.
Johor - 17 PTS
8.
Sabah - 16 PTS (1992 Liga Semi-Pro relegation play-off)
9.
Singapore - 13 PTS (1992 Liga Semi-Pro relegation)
10.
Selangor - 12 PTS (1992 Liga Semi-Pro relegation)
Divisyen 2:
*
Kedah (1992 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2 champions)
*
Penang
Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...
(1992 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2 promotion)
*
Kelantan (1992 Liga Semi-Pro promotion play-off)
*
Police
*
Perlis
*
Air Forces
*
Brunei
*
Malacca
Malacca ( ms, Melaka) is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca. Its capital is Malacca City, dubbed the Historic City, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site si ...
League Table:-
1.
Kedah - 25 PTS (1992 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2 champions)
2.
Penang
Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...
- 20 PTS (1992 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2 promotion)
3.
Kelantan - 14 PTS (1992 Liga Semi-Pro promotion play-off)
4.
Police - 13 PTS
5.
Perlis - 12 PTS
6.
Air Forces - 10 PTS
7.
Brunei - 10 PTS
8.
Malacca
Malacca ( ms, Melaka) is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca. Its capital is Malacca City, dubbed the Historic City, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site si ...
- 8 PTS
1993 season
In its last season, the league consist of teams as below.
[ ]
Divisyen 1:
*
Kedah (1993 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1 champions)
*
Sarawak
*
Perak
Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
*
Pahang
*
Johor
*
Kelantan
*
Penang
Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...
*
Terengganu
*
Kuala Lumpur
*
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan (, Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Nogoghi Sombilan'', ''Nismilan'') is a state in Malaysia which lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the s ...
League Table:-
1.
Kedah - 43 PTS (1993 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1 champions)
2.
Sarawak - 34 PTS
3.
Perak
Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
- 34 PTS
4.
Pahang - 30 PTS
5.
Johor - 27 PTS
6.
Kelantan - 19 PTS
7.
Penang
Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...
- 19 PTS
8.
Terengganu - 14 PTS
9.
Kuala Lumpur - 13 PTS
10.
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan (, Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Nogoghi Sombilan'', ''Nismilan'') is a state in Malaysia which lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the s ...
- 11 PTS
Divisyen 2:
*
Selangor (1989 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2 champions)
*
Singapore
*
Sabah
*
Brunei
*
Malacca
Malacca ( ms, Melaka) is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca. Its capital is Malacca City, dubbed the Historic City, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site si ...
*
Police
*
Perlis
*
Air Forces
League Table:-
1.
Selangor - 35 PTS (1993 Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2 champions)
2.
Singapore - 34 PTS
3.
Sabah - 26 PTS
4.
Brunei - 17 PTS
5.
Malacca
Malacca ( ms, Melaka) is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca. Its capital is Malacca City, dubbed the Historic City, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site si ...
- 14 PTS
6.
Police - 14 PTS
7.
Perlis - 10 PTS
8.
Air Forces - 6 PTS
Champions
Below are the list of the semi-pro league top division champions from 1989 to 1993.
Below are the list of the semi-pro league second division champions from 1989 to 1993.
See also
*
Malaysian League
The Malaysian League or also known as the M-League (Malay: ''Liga Malaysia'' or ''Liga-M'') is a terminology used to describe the professional association football league in Malaysia. The terminology was mainly used to describe the league and it ...
*
Liga Malaysia (1982–1988)
*
Liga Perdana (1994–97)
References
{{Football in Malaysia
Football leagues in Malaysia