Beating of ‘Indonesian fan' did not take place at Bukit Jalil stadium - police

Police are investigating a viral video purportedly showing an Indonesian football fan being beaten 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 affect 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 individual depicted as the victim in the video to come forward to lodge a police report,” the statement read. Police are also calling for any witnesses to aide investigations.

Bernama reported yesterday that the Youth and Sports Ministry had lodged a police report urging police probe the authenticity of the video being widely circulated on social media.

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.

This has come 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. - Mkini