INDONESIA has accused Sea Games host Malaysia of cheating in the pencak silat martial arts competition, in the latest controversy between the two countries at the regional mini-Olympics.

Malaysia’s Mohd Taqiyuddin Hamid and Rosli Mohd Sharif took gold in the men’s artistic doubles, but Indonesia team manager Edhy Prabowo claimed that the duo were awarded an unfairly high score.

The accusation comes after Games organisers mistakenly printed Indonesia’s flag upside down in a commemorative magazine, prompting protests in Indonesia and revenge hacking attacks.

“It’s absolutely not authentic, not proper. Never in the history of the male doubles has anyone had such inflated points,” Edhy said, according to Indonesian news website Detiksport.

“They did not even deserve a third place, not even a fourth,” he said, adding: “I knew Malaysia would cheat. This is not good for our athletes, but we now have to accept this.”

Indonesia’s Yolla Primadona Jumpil and Hendy, the defending champions, were reportedly enraged after coming in second in the competition with 554 points, behind the Malaysian team’s 582.

“It has never happened before that judges awarded 582 points in this category. Never mind 582, even to get 570 is extremely difficult,” Edhy said.

Twenty Sea Games gold medals are available in the Indonesian martial art, which is so popular that the competition was moved from its original venue to a bigger stadium.

“For me, it’s impossible (that Malaysia won),” Yolla was quoted as saying.

“We met Malaysia not just once. We competed against them five times before, and they never reached the podium. Here, they finally stand on the podium.”

There was no immediate comment from Games organisers, who earlier apologised to Indonesia – as did the Foreign Ministry and youth and sports minister – for the flag error.

Table-topping Malaysia is on course for its most successful Games yet, clinching its 100th gold today. – AFP, August 28, 2017.