Sukma XXI: Spectators, supporters to be allowed into pencak silat venue for final matches tomorrow

MIRI (Aug 22): The Malaysia Games (Sukma) XXI Pencak Silat Technical Committee has decided to lift the ban against spectators and supporters entering Miri Indoor Stadium to witness the final matches tomorrow.

The committee’s Head of Technical Delegate Kamarul Ariffin Latib told a press conference this evening that this was decided following a petition by the Rumpun Silat Sarawak (RSS) today.

“I have discussed with the president of Pesaka (Persekutuan Silat Kebangsaan Malaysia), Datuk Wira Megat Zulkarnain Tan Sri Omardin as the leader of the National Silat Federation, and taking into account some supporters who came from far away, from the peninsula, Sabah and other districts in Sarawak.

“As the situation is now under control, and to enliven the atmosphere of Sukma Sarawak, especially at this pencak silat event venue, the technical committee and the security committee have decided to allow spectators and the respective state teams’ supporters to enter the venue with conditions.

“Firstly, spectators are not allowed to bring food and drinks into the venue. Secondly, spectators are also not allowed to be in the area behind the secretariat of the competition where the scoring system is, and contingents must stay in the place provided for contingents only, so that they do not mix with the spectators.

“We’ve also had discussion with the police, and they will ensure security at the venue,” he said.

He pointed out that these conditions were put in place to ensure that there are no problems and unwanted incidents affecting the tournament again.

Also present at the press conference were RSS secretary general Abbas Hamzah Muhd Haneef.

Yesterday, a match between Sarawak and Federal Territories had to be halted after a member of the spectators threw a plastic bottle and cup into the arena and technical area.

Following that incident, the technical committee had decided to ban spectators and supporters from entering the venue throughout the pencak silat event.