Disgusting Indonesian sports fans

The recent South East Asian Games (SEA Games) was held in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang from 11-22 November 2011. The games are aimed at strengthening ties between ASEAN nations and improving regional sporting quality. As I was in Indonesia at the time, I had the privilege of attending several events.

I was shocked to witness the absolute disrespect of Indonesian sports fans towards opposing teams. Indonesians are renowned for their friendliness, politeness and hospitality however it all seems a facade if you attend an international sporting event.

Malaysia and Indonesia have a rivalry in soccer and naturally this was going to be shown at the SEA Games given Malaysia was reigning champion and the two countries were drawn in the same group. The two teams met twice - during the group stages and during the final. At both games the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium was packed beyond capacity - over 100,000 people vying for 85,000 seats. Predictably Malaysia won both matches. And predictably, Indonesia's crowds were despicable. During the Malaysian national anthem, the packed stadium booed, jeered and held up their middle fingers. They persistently chanted obscenities and held up insulting banners. I have never in all my life seen anything quite so disgusting towards a visiting international team at a supposedly "friendly" games. The Indonesian fans also attacked the bus transporting the Malaysian team so much so that there were requests for an armoured car transport for the final. No visiting Indonesian team would ever be treated like this in Malaysia. Of course the police stood by doing nothing as usual. In fact they were helpless when the crowds rushed the gates. Oh and predictably several people died too.

I watched the basketball semi-final where Indonesia played Thailand. It was a close contest with Thailand pulling away in the last few minutes to win the match. As soon as the Indonesian crowds saw they had lost, they began hurling rubbish at the Thai team, spitting on them and shouting at them. The Thai team had to be quickly evacuated from the building. For what? For winning. Disgusting.

Just another example of this ridiculous behaviour was shown during the Pencak Silat martial arts tournament. Indonesia was against Vietnam. When the Vietnamese coach went to the judges' table to complain about something (and yes the judging during the games has been biased as all hell), an Indonesian spectator runs out of the stands and fly-kicks the coach to the head! Of course then a ruckus ensues with other Indonesians joining in.

Watch the clip below.



Indonesian sports fans, you should be ashamed of yourselves! Until you learn how to behave like civilised humans, the world will continue to view you as a sporting backwater.