Holiday Ayo - The sporting event between Southeast Asian countries is marked by various controversies. This includes technical to non-technical aspects. Cambodia, which was holding the SEA Games for the first time, also received a lot of criticism from netizens because they were considered unprofessional and several times Cambodia was considered 'cunning' because it circumvented the rules and made the SEA Games far from sportsmanlike.

As cited from cnbcindonesia.com, here are a number of controversial cases of the 2023 SEA Games, summarized from various sources.

1. The Indonesian Flag is Upside Down

The controversial moment of the 2023 SEA Games has started since the opening ceremony last Friday (5/5). At the opening of this historic moment in Cambodia, the Indonesian flag was placed upside down during the pre-show opening ceremony of the 2023 SEA Games.

At that time, a number of local singers performed accompanied by dancers who brought eleven participating countries to the 2023 SEA Games. However, the Indonesian flag was actually displayed upside down, namely white and red.

The incident was followed up by the Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC) by submitting an objection letter to the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games Organizing Committee (CAMSOC). This case also resulted in an apology from CAMSOC and Cambodian Prime Minister Hu Sen.

2. Plastic chairs in the locker room for the U-22 Indonesian national team

After the opening ceremony, the locker room for the Indonesian U-22 national team (timnas) players returned to the public spotlight. This is because the chairs used for the players in the locker room are green plastic chairs which are called similar to 'conventional chairs'.

Based on photos circulating on social media, the green plastic chair was used to place the jersey for the U-22 Indonesian national team at the 2023 SEA Games ahead of the matches against Timor Leste, Sunday (7/5) and Myanmar (4/5).

3. The podium is only illuminated by car lights

The 2023 SEA Games podium for the 20 km fast road number is in the spotlight of netizens. Because, in the medal process which took place after sunset, the podium looked dark.

In a video circulating on social media, it seems that the podium does not have the support of good light. The light beam actually comes from the headlights of a car in front of the podium.

With the poor quality of lighting, medals were carried out. The quality of the podium with makeshift lighting and even the impression of an emergency immediately reaped comments from netizens. Most of them expressed disappointment while accompanied by satire on Cambodia's readiness as the host.