Police are investigating a viral video purportedly showing Indonesian football fans being assaulted by Malaysian supporters in the wake of the recent Malaysia-Indonesia 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup qualifier.
However, a preliminary probe has indicated that the incident in the 48-second video did not take place at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
“Based on preliminary investigations...the disseminating of the video is believed to be carried out with the intention of tarnishing Malaysia’s reputation and affecting the relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia.
“The dissemination of the video is also seen to have the agenda of harming the safety of Malaysians in Indonesia,” Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Huzir Mohamed (photo) said in a statement.
He said detailed investigations are being conducted under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998.
Section 500 of the Penal Code deals with criminal defamation while Section 233 of the CMA on the improper use of network facilities.
“To ensure the investigation can be conducted comprehensively, police urge the individuals depicted as the victims in the video to come forward to lodge a police report,” the statement read. Police are also calling for any witnesses to aide investigations.
The video being circulated purportedly shows several men being assaulted by a group, among which the victims can be seen being struck by helmets and dragged. One victim was seen to have been stomped on.
It was alleged the victims were Indonesians and attackers Malaysians and the incident purportedly took place following Malaysia’s 2-0 victory over Indonesia in the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday.
Several reports have claimed there has also been a stabbing. Malaysiakini has yet to verify this fact.
Meanwhile, the Youth and Sports Ministry has lodged a police report urging police probe the authenticity of the video being widely circulated on social media.
According to Bernama, Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman told reporters last night that the government was committed to upholding justice, even if the perpetrators were Malaysians.
He claimed Indonesians have threatened online to kill Malaysian players and fans who attended the under-18 football match in Indonesia yesterday between the home team and Malaysia.
In a video posting on his Instagram account, Syed Saddiq appealed to Indonesians “not to believe the hoax”.
“To our friends in Indonesia, please do not believe the hoax, fake news (and) slander, that claim there were some Indonesian fans being beaten and stabbed by Malaysian supporters.
“I, myself, have made a police report, I’ve also contacted Malaysian police who have contacted Indonesian police saying the video is a hoax, a lie and slander and does not have any connection with the football game between Malaysia and Indonesia.”
He urged fans not to allow this video to muddy relations between the two countries of the “same roots”.
Indonesia sports site Indosport.com had reported yesterday that the country’s Youth and Sports Ministry has sent a protest note to its Malaysian counterpart over the video.
