Indonesia angered after Malaysia puts wrong flag in SEA Games book

Indonesians were angered after Malaysian organizers for the Southeast Asian Games wrongly depicted the Indonesian flag (right) in a souvenir guidebook for the event. In the guidebook, the Indonesia flag was inverted, making it look like the flag of Poland (left). AFP FILES

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia is accusing the Malaysian organizers of the Southeast Asian Games of negligence after the Indonesian flag was printed upside down in a souvenir guidebook.

The mistake, which makes the red-and-white Indonesian flag resemble Poland’s, has caused anger in Indonesia where “shameonyoumalaysia” has become the most popular hashtag on Twitter.

Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi says the error is “very painful.”

Indonesia’s Olympic Committee chairman Erick Thohir says the mistake “shows negligence” and demanded the guidebook be replaced.

Indonesia appears to have taken particular offense because the guidebook was distributed to VIPs at Saturday’s opening ceremony and only its flag was shown incorrectly.

Malaysia and Indonesia are both Muslim majority nations and share a similar language but often trade accusations of stealing the other’s food and culture. CBB