The fight between Malaysia and Indonesia has lasted for decades, with both constantly at each other’s throats. In the latest incident, an Indonesian badminton coach was caught on camera calling the Malaysian badminton pair Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan a pair of ‘black and white’.
The incident took place at the ongoing French Open, where the Indonesian coach was caught in a television broadcast, referring the Malaysian women’s double pair as ‘black and white’ while giving instructions to his shuttlers.
Nonetheless, the Malaysia pair still manage to tame the Indonesia duo Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma and Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi, earning themselves a place in the quarterfinals.
Had to post this since I guess everyone wonder what is hitam putih right? For Malaysian, colors are very sensitive yaaaa tetangga. We demand apologies from coach? Naahhh benda tu x payah mintak, if they willing dorang boleh je buat without us asking. #FrenchOpen2022 pic.twitter.com/cf4Mc7SvyT
— Official Shah (@shahaidin) October 28, 2022
The video found its way to social media and has since sparked a huge backlash from Malaysians, with many warning the coach not to refer to people by their skin colour and demanding an apology.
Some even pointed out that if the tables were turned, Indonesians would be fuming all over social media.
This is shameful. Why people can easily called people with their skin colour . Please educate yourself on this sensitivity
— HeyImmaHere (@ImmaOmarr) October 28, 2022
On the other hand, some Indonesians defended the coach and said it was not racist because this makes communication easier.
“I think the coach does not mean to be racist, but he was trying to make communication easier. The conversation was not meant to be for the public but internally between the coach and players. It would not have been said if it was not spoken in these conditions. Nevertheless, it should not have been saying,” a netizen said.
“The coach was just simplifying things, there is no problem. It’s not like it was spoken in public, but limited to the coach and the players to make it easier for them to understand. Malays are so sensitive,” another netizen said.
The coach apologises
Following the backlash, Indonesian coach Eng Hian has issued a formal apology to the pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah and clarified that he had no ill intention of offending the duo with his recent remarks.
“With all humility, I apologise to Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah. I have no intention to offend or do anything to upset the Malaysian players.”
“Once again, I apologise for my words from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
Permintaan maaf Coach Eng Hian terkait penggunaan sebutan ‘hitam’ dan ‘putih’ saat Ana/Tiwi melawan Pearly/Thinaah di R16 #FrenchOpen2022 kemarin. pic.twitter.com/cepEkwbkci
— Rubber Game Indonesia (@rubbergameid) October 28, 2022
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