Baihakki Khaizan Returns to Bandung: Persib Building New Ambitions in Asia

Singapore football legend Baihakki Khaizan has set foot in Bandung again, more than a decade after leaving the club that made his name, Persib Bandung. His visit was not to bolster Maung Bandung's back line, but to attend the FIFA ASEAN 2026 Trophy Tour series held at Paris Van Java (PVJ) on Thursday (24/9/2026). The moment became something of an emotional reunion between the player and the city that was once his home base in the 2010–2011 season.

Baihakki said Bandung still holds a special place in his heart. He called the city a magnet that is hard to forget, especially because so many career memories and friendships were left there. "Coming back to Bandung, there are many changes," he said after the event, smiling as he recalled his days in the blue shirt.

A lasting impression also came from the public reception. According to Baihakki, he received many positive messages, both directly and through social media. "Alhamdulillah, people have also accepted it. From Instagram, from everywhere, everyone gave very kind words. Thank you," he said. The warm response shows that the Singaporean player's footprint is still remembered by some Persib supporters, even though his career in Indonesia was relatively brief.

Although he has long lived outside Indonesia, Baihakki said he still follows Persib's progress. He occasionally watches matches or clips of Maung Bandung's play through social media. "Yes, Persib is still the same. When we watch highlights from Instagram, from social media," he said. He also highlighted Persib's achievement of winning the Liga Indonesia title three seasons in a row. "Alhamdulillah, seeing Persib as champions, three times, right?" he said.

What Baihakki misses most about Bandung is not only the match atmosphere, but also the pulse of the city itself. He named Paris Van Java as one of the most memorable places. "Yes, what I really miss is this, Paris Van Java. It already looks new. Back then it might have been a bit smaller. Now it has changed," he said. He also said several old friends had contacted him, but a tight schedule meant the meetings did not happen. "Alhamdulillah, there are many memories here too. Some friends have called, but the timing was tight, we couldn't meet," he added.

"We see that from 10-15 years ago until now, ASEAN teams' average rankings have started to rise." — Baihakki Khaizan

In his view of Southeast Asian football, Baihakki sees a positive shift. He believes clubs from the region, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, have shown an upward trend over the past one to one and a half decades. "Good. That is perhaps the only thing in football overall. We see that from 10-15 years ago until now, ASEAN teams' average rankings have started to rise," he said.

Specifically about Persib, Baihakki picked up on the big ambition the management is building. According to him, the club's move to bring in top players is an indication of seriousness about competing at a higher level, including in Asian competitions. "I think they just keep pushing. They want to take top players too, so it's good, good for football," he concluded.

Baihakki's remarks imply one important thing: the presence of a regional legend at an event like the FIFA ASEAN Trophy Tour is not merely ceremonial. It signals that ASEAN football is searching for a new identity and competitiveness. For Indonesia, especially Persib, the spotlight from a figure like Baihakki can be both a mirror and pressure. The claim of three consecutive domestic titles is indeed something to be proud of, but the real measure is consistency on the Asian stage. Can Persib translate its transfer ambition into continental achievement, or will it get stuck in a cycle of domestic titles without a breakthrough abroad? Time will test it, and the people of Bandung have the right to demand more than just euphoria.