REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KUALA LUMPUR -- Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) regrets the incorrect position of Indonesian flag in SEA Games XXIX 2017 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, guide book. In the booklet, the Indonesian flag appeared upside down.

Chairman of KOI Erick Thohir conveyed his deep regret related to the error in displaying of the Indonesian Flag in Guide Book for SEA Games XXIX 2017, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In a book titled, Souvenir Special, which were distributed to all invited guests, including the Minister of Youth and Sport – Mr. Imam Nahrawi, during the Opening Ceremony of the 29th South East Asian Games held at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Saturday (19/08/2017), the negligence of Malaysia SEA Games Organizing Committee 2017 visibly obvious.

On page 80 of the book, a sheet dedicated for the previous hosts of SEA Games,  the red and white of Indonesian flag is inverted which displayed as white and red. The flag itself was positioned right next to the Malaysian flag. The inscription below the flag signified the years of when Indonesia hosted the SEA Games, which were 1979, 1987, 1997, and 2011.

This error only happened to the Indonesian flag. The other ten flags of South East Asian Nations were displayed correctly.

“Of course, I am expressing my deep regret on this fault, which shows negligence and absentminded. Even though friendship is the greatest legacy in sports, but a mistake in presenting a national identity of a nation is not justified. We are indeed in the world of sport however do not let things such as this matter to interfere the relationship between countries,” said Erick. 

In the level of nation to nation, the Ministry of Youth and Sport which representing the Republic of Indonesia will convey their protest and in the level of National Olympic Committee, KOI is planning to take the same action.

“We will deliver our protest note and objection to the Chairman of Olympic Council of Malaysia, Tunku Imran, Secretary General Mrs. Beng Choo Low in regard to this matter, as well as requesting the Guide Books to be withdrawn from circulation and replaced with the correct display of the red and white flag of Indonesia,” Erick asserted.

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