Antara, Jakarta – Cambodia has reportedly issued an apology to Indonesia over the upside-down Indonesian flag at the opening ceremony of the 2023 SEA Games at Morodok Techo National Stadium, Phnom Penh, on Friday, May 5, 2023.
The Indonesian National Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia) has sent a letter of objection to the Organizing Committee of Cambodia SEA Games (CAMSOC) regarding the incident at the pre-show opening ceremony which was broadcast live on the YouTube channel of the Cambodian Council of Ministers.
Acting Secretary General of NOC Indonesia Harry Warganegara confirmed that Cambodia had conveyed an apology to Indonesia. They also responded to it quickly and assured that similar incidents will not recur at the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
"Cambodia has apologized directly to us and acted quickly so that the incident will not be repeated at the opening ceremony," Harry said in a written statement in Phnom Penh, Friday, May 5, 2023.
NOC Indonesia sent an official objection letter number 5.5.2/NOC-INA/SET/2023 dated May 5, which was signed by Harry Warganegara to the Secretary General of NOC Cambodia and CAMSOC CEO Vath Chamroeun.
The opening ceremony of the sports event for the solidarity of countries in the ASEAN region took place at 19:00 local time. The audience was encouraged to come earlier as the organizing committee presented a pre-show.
Cambodia is chosen to host the SEA Games for the first time. a. The Indonesian team led by Chef de Mission (CdM) Lexyndo Hakim participated in 31 sports.