Malaysia Accused Of Cheating During 2017 SEA Games’ Pencak Silat Competition

Indonesia has accused 2017 SEA Games host Malaysia of cheating during the pencak silat competition. Indonesia’s team manager, Edhy Prabowo, believes that Malaysia is giving their own contestants “inflated points”.

The Malaysian team bested the reigning Indonesian champions Yolla Primadona Jumpil and Hendy by 28 points, resulting in Indonesia taking second place with 554 points. According to Channel News Asia, Indonesia’s team manager is certain of foul play, cliaming that getting 570 points is already “extremely difficult”, so Malaysia’s score of 582, he believes, wasn’t possible.

“I knew Malaysia would cheat, this is not good for our athletes, but we have to accept this,” Prabowo stated.

“They did not deserve a third place, not even a fourth,” he said.

Malaysia has yet to respond to the cheating allegations.

Aside from the cheating controversy, the 2017 SEA Games have been an enormous benefit to Malaysia, which not only helped their tourism industry but boosted their economy overall. Additionally, this year’s SEA Games also helped to unify the country, if only temporarily, as thousands of Malaysian residents of all races and religions gathered together to cheer for their favorite athletes.