Indonesian Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi (second right) and Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (second left) pose together as Jamaluddin apologized to Indonesia for the “flag incident” at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday, Aug. 20. Indonesia accused the Malaysian organizers of the 2017 South East Asian Games of negligence after the red-and-white Indonesian flag was printed upside-down in a souvenir guidebook, making it resemble Poland\'s national flag, and had demanded an official apology.
KUALA LUMPUR, KOMPAS – Malaysia has officially issued an apology to the people and government of Indonesia for the mistake of printing the Indonesian flag upside down in a 2017 SEA Games Kuala Lumpur souvenir book. Malaysia will stop the distribution of the book and print a new version as a replacement.
The apology by the Malaysian government was offered by Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who met with Indonesian Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi on Sunday (20/8) afternoon at Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Other than offering a verbal apology, Khairy also handed a letter of apology by the Malaysian government.
In the meeting, Imam was accompanied by Indonesian Olympics Committee (KOI) chairman Erick Thohir and Indonesian contingent head Azis Syamsuddin. Khairy was accompanied by Malaysian Olympic Council president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Jaafar.
“This is a huge error and as host we have apologized to Bapak Imam as the Indonesian youth and sports minister, and also today, we apologize to all of the people of Indonesia for this huge error,” said Khairy as reported by Kompas from Kuala Lumpur.
Khairy said that the mistake of printing the Indonesian flag upside down had not been deliberate. However, the mistake is still a serious problem because it is related to the reputation of the Indonesian public. A flag also symbolizes the grandeur of a country.
As a follow up, Khiary has ordered all distribution of the book be stopped. A new version of the book will be printed to correct the mistake and they will be given to representatives of ASEAN countries that attended the SEA Games opening on Saturday night.
“Finally, in the spirit of loyal friendship, [we hope that] this apology can be considered by the government and people of Indonesia and we can continue to foster a good relationship,” Khairy said.
Imam was understanding of Khairy’s apology. Personally, Imam has accepted the apology. However, as a matter pertaining to the state, the apology letter will be given and reported to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
“We hope that this does not happen again because a flag is a symbol of a country that needs to be honored, and the SEA Games event is an honor for all of us,” he said.
The President said in Jakarta on Sunday that the Indonesian government extremely regrets the occurrence. However, he said that the problem should not be blown out of proportion.
Nevertheless, the Indonesian government will still wait for an apology from Malaysia.
“We await an apology from Malaysia because this concerns the pride and nationalism of our nation,” the President said.
University of Indonesia (UI) international law professor Hikmahanto Juwana believes the two countries must be smart in managing this problem. If not, the relations between the people of the two countries will be ruined.
Hikmahanto appreciated the moves made by the Indonesian government, including the youth and sports minister’s protest on Twitter, the President’s statement and the note of diplomatic protest sent by Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi.
The Malaysian government, through its youth and sports minister, has offered its apology.
Takraw team withdraws
The Indonesian sepak takraw team has withdrawn from the 2017 SEA Games after protesting the decisions of a referee whom it felt hat sided with host team, Malaysia, on Sunday night. Malaysia was eventually declared to have gained a walk-out win over Indonesia.
The chaos occurred when the sepak takraw match at the Titiwangsa Indoor Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, was being watched by Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi.
Indonesian Sepak Takraw Association secretary general Tri Gunawan Hadi said that the chaos was sparked by the way the referee had led the game.
“In the first set, Indonesia lost by a thin margin of 20-22, and even that was because the referee on numerous occasions ruled the service by Indonesia players to be fault. In the second set, Indonesia managed to lead 16-10. But yet again, the referee ruled that the services made by Indonesian players were faults,” he said.
