JAKARTA: “Malaysia were robbed of a gold medal!”
This was the cry of Malaysia National Silat Federation (Pesaka) secretary general, Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin after Mohd Al-Jufferi Jamari’s loss in the final of the Asian Games today.
Al-Jufferi, seen as Malaysia’s top contender in silat, left the floor in anger and frustration in the third round with two seconds remaining in the match against Indonesia’s Koman Hari Adi Putra in the 65-70kg category, which saw the five judges award a 4-1 victory to the contender from the host nation.
“My biggest fear came true. There was unfair judging twice (out of five judges) from the South Korea and Laos judges.
“So, I asked Jufferi to clear the floor,” said Megat Zulkarnain.
An emotional Al-Jufferi said: “It was not a fair match. I can’t accept this and did not want to continue the fight.
“If this is the way it’s going to be, I believe that in four years (at the Asian Games) in China, it (pencak silat) will not be contested.”
A furious Al-Jufferi was seen punching the changing room’s partition at the GOR Pencak Silat TMII in Jakarta.
“It’s in everyone’s nature to feel anger… I can’t accept this defeat but I blame the judges for not doing their duties fairly,” he said.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Faizul Mohd Nasir lost in the final to Indonesia’s Abdul Malik 5-0 in the 50-55kg class.
Malaysia earned a bronze medal in the men’s doubles through Mohd Taqiyuddin Hamid and Muhammad Afifi Nordin.