JAKARTA - The 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines received sharp criticism from various parties because it was far from ready. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had to hold back his emotions hearing the various reasons presented by the chairman of the 2019 SEA Games organizer Alan Peter Cayetano.
Duterte, who is in South Korea to attend the summit, is said to be angry with various international media reports about the 2019 SEA Games.
"Of course the president (Duterte) is angry, all the mistakes that have occurred should not exist. (Should) all of these can be resolved easily, therefore the president is very angry," said presidential spokesman, Salvador Panelo, quoted by the Straits Times, Wednesday, 27 November.
According to Panelo, Duterte will carry out a large-scale investigation regarding the chaos that occurred during the 2019 SEA Games. He said Duterte would not hesitate to impose sanctions on the parties involved.
Pres. #Duterte is eyeing an investigation into allegations of corruption hounding PH hosting of the 30th SEA Games. President.Duterte, who just arrived from an official trip, was “displeased” by what he has been hearing about the regional multi-sport which will run from Nov. 30-Dec.11 pic.twitter.com/ltHyJWug5K
- PH News (@ PHNews01) November 27, 2019
Senate member Manny Pacquiao also shared the same message, that a thorough investigation will begin. According to him, all problems related to facilities must be resolved immediately, so as not to disturb the athletes who will compete. Moreover, athletes and officials from each country have started arriving in the Philippines since Saturday 23 November.
Absence of Halal Food
One of the most disturbing things ahead of the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines, is the absence of a halal food menu for Muslim athletes. Especially for the participating countries of the SEA Games, the majority are Muslim, such as Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia.
Even the Singapore delegation that did not field many Muslim athletes had to buy its own logistics and food for the athletes. Meanwhile, Malaysia has started to anticipate it by bringing the necessities of halal food for its athletes, before leaving for the Philippines. Fatal, some Indonesian athletes accidentally eat non-halal based side dishes because there is no marker on the buffet menu that is served.
The case is different from what the home athletes face. They actually complained about the organizers for serving less nutritious food. Because the only food served to athletes for breakfast is rice, eggs and kikiam (a typical Filipino snack). I was so inappropriate, the menu went viral on social media.
The head chef for # SEAGames2019 says good food is served at the Athlete's Village | https://t.co/sDo55hwVGt pic.twitter.com/ANfSUEXIJc
- CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) November 27, 2019
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) said they had previously offered to provide halal food to countries with Muslim athletes. However, the organizers of the SEA Games did not pay attention to the offer.
This is clearly different from the statement conveyed by the executive chef of the SEA Games, Bruce Lim. He insisted on making various food and food variants that were halal-certified.
"After we gave advice on halal food, they instead told us to go to the other side. We warned during a plenary session where Alan Peter Cayetano and the heads of other government agencies were present. They just said 'recorded'" said NCMF's director of public relations, Dimapuno. Alonto Datu Ramos Jr.
Ramos also explained that the NCMF had previously reminded the installation of a Qibla sign at each match venue, even if possible, provide a special room for prayers. But again, the organizers ignored the message he conveyed.
"They always give the same answer; 'well, we will contact you' yes they contact us, but if we call first," said Ramos.
In fact, the 2019 SEA Games sports festival will be held on November 30 in the Philippines. However, the sports party between countries in Southeast Asia has not yet started, and there has been a lot of unpleasant news that has gone viral in the mass line.
Starting from various facilities and infrastructure that are not ready, to the unavailability of halal and nutritious food for consumption by athletes and officials from each country. It is so bad that not a few netizens equate the 2019 Philippines SEA Games with the failed Fyre music festival some time ago.
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