Dear Malaysia, An Apology Through Social Media Is Not Enough

Illustration (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Youth Minister and the Malaysian Sports and Youth Association apologized via Instagram regarding the incident of mistreatment of Indonesian supporters during the 2022 World Cup qualifying match between the Indonesian and Malaysian national teams at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on 19 November. This statement might be able to ease the already high tensions between the two countries. But, is it enough just to apologize on social media?

Through his Instagram account, Syed Saddiq apologized by writing the following statement:

"I apologize. So far, we still need all parties to help the situation that is being carried out. I will ensure justice belongs to all, no matter from Malaysia or Indonesia. I will make sure the message is brought before the court."

The Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports, Zainudin Amali, stated that the Malaysian government did not apologize enough via social media. In the middle of watching a shadow puppet show in Surabaya, early Sunday morning, the Menpora claimed to have learned of the Malaysian Government's apology that was made via social media.

"The Malaysian government must formally apologize to the Indonesian people," he said. Launching Antara, Sunday, November 24.

Moreover, he said, after the persecution incident, the Ministry of Youth and Sports had sent an official letter to the Malaysian Government to thoroughly investigate this incident, and demand a legal settlement of the perpetrators of the persecution and apologize to the Indonesian people.

"So because we have officially sent a letter, the Malaysian government should also have an official apology as well," he said.

The Menpora gave an example of the incidents of persecution against Malaysian supporters when the two national teams competed at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.

"At that time, the Indonesian government officially apologized. In fact, our Minister of Youth and Sports, who at that time was Pak Imam Nahrowi, came directly to the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports to convey an apology," he said.

Supposedly, he continued, the Malaysian Government could also act wisely in conveying an official apology like the one the Indonesian Government had done.

"If you officially apologize, you will definitely be forgiven. As long as there is also certainty that the perpetrator of the persecution has been legally processed," he said.

Previously, the Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Gatos S. Dewa Broto had responded to Syed Saddiq's apology via his Twitter account. Gatot hopes that this statement can ease the tensions between the two countries that had peaked.

1. Alhamdulillah, after being attacked repeatedly, the Minister of Youth and Sports of Malaysia at around 20.00 WIB had submitted an open apology to Indonesia through IG. I got this info for the first time from the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and I called back .... pic.twitter.com/M8nLBghjKZ

- Gatot S. Dewa Broto (@gsdewabroto) November 23, 2019

2 ........ the extent of its validity. And that's true. He no longer talks about HOAX, but at what point he admits. We hope that this statement can ease the tensions between the two countries which had been at its peak. I have immediately reported this information for the first time .... pic.twitter.com/I7M4V2pVMh

- Gatot S. Dewa Broto (@gsdewabroto) November 23, 2019

Gatot added that the information had been reported to the Menpora with a copy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi. He hopes that a similar incident will not happen again in the future.

3 ... to the Minister of Youth and Sports with a copy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Miss Foreign Minister's Response: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the Indonesian Embassy will continue to monitor the investigation via the Malaysian police. Kemenpora and all of us hope that incidents of supporters like the ones that have happened in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur will not be repeated, .... pic.twitter.com/uFxYvYpJW1

- Gatot S. Dewa Broto (@gsdewabroto) November 23, 2019

4. ....... Moreover, Indonesia will host the 2021 U20 FIFA World Cup. However, we are an allied nation who sometimes have an up and down relationship, but the two heads of government are very well connected. Even when I closed the tournament tonight ..... pic.twitter.com/XJVyTvmWxd

- Gatot S. Dewa Broto (@gsdewabroto) November 23, 2019