YOUTH and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today tendered an apology on behalf of Malaysia, as this year’s Sea Games host, to Indonesia over an error involving the republic’s national flag.

It was conveyed by Khairy at a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, Imam Nahrawi, in Kuala Lumpur.

“This is a very grave mistake, and on behalf of the host, I apologise to Bapak Imam and all Indonesians over this very serious error,” Khairy told a media conference after the 20-minute meeting.

Indonesia’s flag was printed upside down in a special Games souvenir book.

Imam expressed his regret over the error via Twitter yesterday, and Khairy replied on the same platform to apologise and state that the mistake was unintended.

Present at the media conference were Deputy Youth and Sports Minister M. Saravanan, Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar and Malaysian Sea Games Organising Committee (Masoc) chief executive officer Zolkples Embong.

Khairy, who is also Masoc chairman, said he had stopped the distribution of the erroneous souvenir book and a new edition with the appropriate correction would be issued.

“The new book will be sent to all honoured guests who were present at the opening ceremony last night, especially Asean government representatives, to replace the souvenir book containing the mistake.”

He also said Foreign Minister Anifah Aman had contacted his Indonesian counterpart over the matter.

“Anifah told me that an official apology would be issued by the Malaysian government to the Indonesian government via their respective Foreign Ministries.

“The official apology will include my official apology to Bapak Imam verbally, as well as in written form, to express Malaysia’s regrets as the host over the incident.

“I hope the Indonesian government will accept our apology in the spirit of friendship and continue to build strong ties between the two countries.”

Imam said his government acknowledged the apology and would soon report to President Joko Widodo for further action.

He said he hoped the incident would not be repeated as the flag was a respected symbol of a country.

“The matter will not weaken the spirit of Indonesian athletes and it should not be repeated in the future.” – Bernama, August 20, 2017.