Malaysian Police Release 2 Indonesian Football Team Supporters

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Two Indonesian football supporters, Rifki Chorudin and Iyan Prada Wibowo, arrested by the Royal Malaysian Police of Cheras District had been released on Sunday, November 24. The two were detained after the 2022 World Cup qualification match between the two countries' soccer teams at Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, November 19.

Rifki and Iyan, residents of Bali Province, were escorted to the Indonesian Embassy by the social and culture coordinator Agung Cahaya Sumirat and a lawyer Muhammad Dwi Harsanto Djamal.

Meanwhile, the other Indonesian citizen Andreas Setiawan was still detained.

“Alhamdulillah, we have succeeded to free our two friends from Cheras Police custody this afternoon. This is a good response to the Indonesian government's request on their release,” said Agung Cahaya Sumirat.

However, according to Agung, Andreas was still in the police custody for further investigation. “We will continuously monitor and visit Mas Andreas,” he added.

Agung underlined that his side must honor Malaysia’s law as its police were conducting an investigation and the detainment would last for 14 days since the arrest on Tuesday.

Iyan Prada Wibowo conveyed his gratitude following this release. “Hopefully, our friend [Andreas] will be freed soon because we are [Indonesian soccer team] supporters, not a terrorist,” he said.

ANTARA