Monitor Malaysian Media Coverage Of Indonesian Supporters Beaten

Screenshot of Malaysian online media (By courtesy)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian people were shocked by a video showing two Indonesian soccer supporters experiencing beatings. Even one of the victims was stabbed. The beating incident occurred before the match between Indonesia and Malaysia in Bukit Djalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, started.

This incident made the Indonesian people furious. They strongly condemn the unsupportive Malaysian supporters who should provide security for foreigners in their country. The country, which is allied with Indonesia, did not seem to care about this incident. And it is even more ironic because the Malaysian public seems to cover up and even distort the facts.

We monitor online news in Malaysia. As a result, the Malaysian news in general did not mention the incident against the two Indonesian supporters. They mostly even discussed about the arrest of football supporters who were secured due to the riots.

The media reported that 41 people were arrested after the rioting at the Bukit Jalil Stadium. "Those who were arrested were supporters of both teams and were released after filing," said Cheras ACP district police chief Mohamed Mokhsein Mohamed Zon, quoted by The Sun Daily.

Different from the news from Free Malaysia Today. They said that there were fireworks throwing at Malaysian supporters who were suspected of being carried out by Indonesian supporters. "The qualifiers for the peaceful World Cup between Malaysia and Indonesia in Kuala Lumpur tonight were tarnished after fireworks appeared to have been thrown at local (Malaysian) supporters," it wrote.

"Based on the video spread on social media, the first fireworks emitting red smoke were thrown after Malaysia took the lead in the 29th minute by forward Muhammad Safawi Rasid."

In the news, it was also discussed that the PSSI had also been fined US $ 45,000 by FIFA due to fan problems during the World Cup qualification against Malaysia which was held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta in September.

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said several Indonesian supporters tried to break into the Malaysian supporters area.

No apologies

Compared to the rioting between Indonesian and Malaysian supporters in September, Indonesia is heartened to apologize. Even the Indonesian Menpora, who at that time was still held by Imam Nahrawi, immediately apologized to the Malaysian Menpora. Nothing was covered up after the incident occurred.

However, this time, Malaysia is not as proud as the Indonesian side did before. Even the Menpora Syed Syaddiq just issued a statement that for the victim, please submit a report to the Malaysian police. Not a single word of apology came out of the youngest minister in Malaysia.

"I have told the police to carry out an investigation. If someone is beaten, please make a report to the police. We ensure that there will be a transparent and accurate investigation. Justice for all, regardless of Malaysia or Indonesia," said Syaddiq via Twitter aun. personal.

This attitude of Malaysia is very unfortunate, considering that Indonesia-Malaysia are the closest neighboring countries. It is not appropriate for the Malaysian media to cover up the incident, even turning around to suggest that they are victims.