The Indonesian Football Association was fined US$5,000 (RM17,006) when fans showed disrespect when the national anthem (Negaraku) was played during the Malaysia versus Vietnam futsal match in Jakarta on Monday.

The action was taken by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after Malaysian team manager Hamidin Mohd Amin lodged an official complaint after the AFC Cup Futsal match, claiming that the action of the fans had tarnished the image of the country.

Although Indonesia qualified for the Asian Futsal Cup Finals in Uzbekistan come May, after beating Malaysia 5-3 in the semi-finals on Wednesday, it remained a hollow victory due to the action of their fans.

During the incident on Monday at the Senayan Indoor Tennis Stadium, the Indonesian fans started singing their own national anthem (Indonesia Raya) when Negaraku was being played.

The fans also refused to rise from their seats when Negaraku was being played and to add insult to injury, they hurled abuses at the Malaysian players while the match was in progress.

Abuse of maids

Relations between the two neighbours have dived last year when Indonesia said Malaysian warships entered oil-rich waters of the disputed Ambalat area in the Sulawesi sea off northeastern Borneo island. An Indonesian navy ship came within moments of firing on a Malaysian vessel.

Tensions have also been aggravated by allegations of cultural theft, and horrific cases of abuse of Indonesian maids, which led to Jakarta putting a temporary ban on sending domestic workers to Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Youth and Sports Minister Andi Malarangeng, offered his apology to the Malaysian contingent.

Malaysia failed to qualify for the finals after going down 3-6 to Vietnam in the play off for third and fourth placing yesterday.

- Bernama