When it began, it was intended primarily as a qualifying tournament for the final knock-out stages of the Malaysia Cup.

Over the years, the league competition has gained important stature in its own right.

[3] Initially the only teams allowed to participate in the league were the state FA's sides, teams representing the Military of Malaysia, the Royal Malaysian Police, and teams representing the neighbouring countries of Singapore and Brunei (though the Football Association of Singapore 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).

Some of the clubs which compete in the league are Hong Chin, Muar FA, PKNK from Kedah, DBKL, PKNS, BSN, LPN, BBMB, Proton, PPC and PKENJ.

[2] Some of the clubs were then evolved and joined the main league, such as PKENJ, which became JCorp and now as JDT.