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Indonesia Assures Safety Of Malaysian Footballers - FAM

KUANTAN, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- The Indonesian government has assured the safety of Malaysian footballers taking part in the AFF Suzuki Cup Championship in Jakarta for Dec 1 to 29.

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said he raised the matter at the Asean Football Federation (AFF)'s meeting recently.

"We had also contacted the Malaysian Ambassador in Jakarta and he told us that the Indonesian government will ensure the safety of our footballers," he told reporters at an Aidilfitri open house hosted by Pahang Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Wan Adnan Wan Mamat here Monday.

Tengku Abdullah was asked to comment on the safety of the Malaysian squad in the tournament in the wake of anti-Malaysia protests in Jakarta.

The FAM deputy president said he urged the Football Association of Indonesia to provide security for Malaysian footballers and supporters at the AFF meeting.

Meanwhile, he said the FAM would also set up a committee to discuss on security measures that needed to be taken by Malaysian footballers and officials during the championship.

"We just want to play soccer and do not want to be involved in activities that may affect relations between two countries and we hope our presence will be well received," he said.

Tengku Abdullah said on the other hand, the national squad should not feel intimidated and stressed out although they were drawn in the same group with Indonesia besides Thailand, the 2008 runners-up.

"If we want to succeed, do not consider this a threat but rather a challenge," he said.

Malaysia had fared poorly since becoming Malaysia runners-up at the inaugural tournament in Singapore in 1996.

-- BERNAMA

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