Many people in Muslim-majority Indonesia have been showing their support for the persecuted Rohingya Muslim community in Myanmar, but one particular show of solidarity in a sporting arena recently became the subject of controversy.
Last Saturday, Bandung’s Persib Football Club welcomed Semen Padang for the Liga 1 competition in Si Jalak Harupat Stadium. During the match, Persib’s fans on the East tribune used cards to form a mosaic that read, “Save Rohingya.”
"SAVE ROHINGYA" choreo in Persib vs Semen Padang. The match ends draw. pic.twitter.com/uO4QSH4LmO
— footballIndonesia (@footballinanews) September 9, 2017
The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) yesterday officially issued a fine to Persib for the mosaic, which they said violated Article 56 of Liga 1 regulations that forbids any expressions containing racial, ethnicity, and religious messages that could be disruptive to the match.
And, according to Article 67 of PSSI’s Disciplinary Code, the violation is punishable by a fine of IDR50 million (US$3,775), to be paid within 14 days, and with no possibility for appeal.
“Persib Bandung’s supporters were proven to have deliberately planned the ‘Save Rohingya’ (mosaic),” a statement from the PSSI’s Disciplinary Committee read, as picked up by CNN Indonesia.
PSSI’s decision to fine Persib has been heavily criticized by many as excessive.
“It’s like PSSI is heartless. We shouldn’t have been fined for (the mosaic) because what the Bobotohs (Persib supporters) did contained a message for humanity – it was not political. I’m just shocked and disappointed,” said Persib Manager Umuh Muchtar, as quoted by Kumparan today.
“Even the government is concerned and they’re helping the Rohingya. How come the PSSI isn’t supporting that?”
Campaigns to support Persib have also appeared online, such as #KoinUntukPSSI (coins for PSSI) in which many Indonesians are pooling money to pay for Persib’s fine. While even political figures like the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Chairman Zulfikli Hasan has pledged money to the campaign, it has also been criticized by some who believe that the money raised would be better off going directly to the Rohingya.
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