Malaysia Involves Interpol Investigate Allegations Of Indonesian Footballers Being Victims Of Police Extortion In Neighboring Countries

Illustration of Indonesian football national team players visiting stadium spectators after the match. (Fasyah Halim-Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Malaysian Police (PDRM) coordinated with Indonesian authorities to investigate a viral video of Indonesian footballers claiming to be victims of illegal levies (extortion) on one of the highways in Subang Jaya, neighboring country.

In the video footage, the extortion was allegedly carried out by members of the Malaysian Motorcycle Patrol Unit (URB) who asked the victim for money during a routine traffic control operation in Subang Jaya.

The Selangor Police Chief, Datuk Shazeli Kahar, said that his party had received a report submitted by URB officers.

"A statement has been taken from the complainant, who is an URB officer, and his colleagues," Shazeli said at a press conference at the Selangor Contingent Police Headquarters on Friday, quoted by The Vibes, Friday, November 14.

Shazeli said investigations related to the report had been carried out based on Article 504 of the Criminal Code regarding intentional insults with the intention of provoking.

"However, statements from individuals claiming to be footballers cannot be obtained because they have returned to their country of origin," continued Shazeli.

He added that PDRM has coordinated with strategic partners abroad and may use the police attach at the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta to obtain the testimony needed in the investigation process.

"It may take time, and we are also coordinating with Interpol and strategic partners to complete the investigation," he said.

Previously, the Subang Jaya Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Wan Azlan Wan Mamat, confirmed that the officers suspected of being involved in the extortion case against Indonesian footballers made a police report on November 7.

The Malaysian Police URB officer allegedly asked for money from Indonesian footballers and their colleagues during a traffic check in neighboring countries.

In the viral video footage, the inspection was carried out when Indonesian footballers and several people were in the vehicle stopped by URB officers on suspicion of driving against the flow.