Rumpun Silat Sarawak disputes Sukma technical committee’s ruling, to send protest letter

MIRI (Aug 22): Rumpun Silat Sarawak (RSS) is disputing the Sukma Pencak Silat technical committee’s decision on Match No. 177 of the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma XXI) women’s under 45kg category.

RSS said it will be sending a letter to the technical committee to highlight four issues that affected the tournament here.

Secretary general Abbas Hamzah Muhd Haneef said the RSS supreme working committee made the decision today.

“On August 21, 2024, as you already know, there was a commotion during Match No. 177 in the women’s under 45kg category, between Sarawak athlete in the red corner and the Federal Territory in the blue corner.

“There was a technical glitch on the scoreboard that caused the audience to doubt the match. Immediately after that, the match was stopped due to a commotion.

“Therefore, the meeting of Rumpun Silat Sarawak Supreme Working Council members was held on August 22, 2024 (today) at 10.30am and several matters were decided on,” he told a press conference this afternoon.

He said RSS is denies that both the Sarawak and the Federal Territories teams agreed on the results of the match, as announced by the Sukma technical committee last night.

“Secondly, we suggest that the facilities and technical scoring equipment used must always be in good condition as well as functioning at its best, so that the tournament can be judged with professionalism, integrity, fairness, and equality for all teams.

“Thirdly, yesterday’s situation was just a minor chaos that could be controlled and not a riot as posted on social media sites.

“Fourthly, we would like to request that the ban on spectators in the stadium be withdrawn immediately with increased security, to celebrate all visitors and tourists, so that we can uphold the burning spirit of unity among the silat martial art fans who come from all over Malaysia and the neighbouring country,” said Abbas.

He added to maintain the good name and interests of all parties in making Sukma 2024 a success, RSS hopes rational actions and decisions would be made by those concerned.