Indonesia gives assurance on security at Asian Games

SERI KEMBANGAN: Indonesia has given its assurance on the security of the national contingent at the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games next week, says Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

He said apart from that his ministry had also held discussions with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) on the security of athletes taking part in the multi-sport championships from Aug 18 to Sept 2.

“I was in Indonesia to visit Palembang and Jakarta and I also had the opportunity to meet President Joko Widodo and his minister on security (in conjunction with the Asian Games).

“They pledged to ensure the security of our athletes. Several matters should studied among them, I was told PDRM would be going Indonesia earlier to obtain further briefings,” he said when met by reporters at the Maju Expressway ride (MEX Ride 2018) at the Seri Kembangan Rest and Service (R&R) area here yesterday.

The security assurance was considered important in the wake of several incidents involving Malaysian teams in that country with the latest case on July 12 when the national under-19 squad were hurled with bottles and stones during an AFF competition match at Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo.

Meanwhile, on the scuffle at a friendly match between the under-23 squads of Malaysia and UAE on Friday, Syed Saddiq said the incident should not have occurred. - Bernama