Indonesia Raya Anthem Is Cut, Secretary General Of PERBASI: Should Not Be Happened If Lebanon Concentrates On Its Responsibilities As Host

JAKARTA - An unfortunate incident occurred when the Indonesian basketball team appeared in the inaugural match of the 2021 FIBA Asia World Cup Qualification on Saturday, November 27. At that time there was an incident where the anthem Indonesia Raya was played but not finished.

This situation triggered protests from the Central Board of the Indonesian Basketball Association (PP PERBASI) who immediately sent a letter of protest to Lebanon as the host.

"During the incident, PP PERBASI immediately sent a letter of protest to FIBA Asia and FIBA immediately responded by apologizing to Indonesia," said PP PERBASI Secretary-General Nirmala Dewi when contacted by VOI on Monday, November 29.

It is known that the unfinished screening of the Indonesia Raya anthem occurred before the match which took place at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Center, Zouk Mikael, Lebanon. At that time, WR Soepratman's song was only played until ‘marilah kita berseru, Indonesia bersatu’ (let us shout, Indonesia is united).

Realizing that the national anthem was not played completely, the management and players immediately responded by looking at each other in confusion. They felt strange because they could not sing the Indonesian Raya anthem in its entirety.

Although FIBA Asia has apologized for the incident, Nirmala still regrets the situation. She said the organizers should be more responsible.

"This should not have happened if the host was concerned with its responsibilities as the host," continued Nirmala.

The Secretary-General of PP PERBASI also admitted that he was disappointed because after the incident the organizers did not try to repair or complete it again. Instead, they seemed to be doing something wrong and instead continued playing the host's national anthem.

“So disappointed, after being cut. It is not continued or repaired but goes straight into their national anthem," she said.