GEORGE TOWN – Penang has distanced itself from a football-related brawl, which resulted in seven people being arrested after a heated match between Kedah and Penang in the Malaysian Super League match at City Stadium last night.
After a clip of the brawl near the Shell petrol kiosk went viral, youth and sports exco Daniel Gooi replied in a text message that the incident is unrelated to sports.
“These are irresponsible hooligans. (Allow) the police to investigate and take necessary action,” said Gooi.
Penang FA chief executive officer Jeffrey Chew said that the clashes between Kedah and Penang in the northern derby are often tense.
“There is a simmering rivalry between both states. No, it was not a fight about water, but a misunderstanding over the ending of the match.”
Chew said that the match was headed to a draw up to the final minutes when Kedah scored.
“This led to a highly tense situation, which was already boiling during the match. All it needed was for someone to pass an insult for the scuffle to occur.”
Chew hopes that it is just an isolated incident, and police can tackle football hooliganism at its root to prevent future untoward incidents.
In a statement, northeast district police head Soffian Santong confirmed the brawl between supporters from both states.
The incident took place at 11.20pm when fans were leaving after the match, with supporters from both sides taunting one another at the Shell kiosk next to the stadium before the situation escalated.
Those participating in the brawl threw stones and traffic cones at each other, with one shattering the glass of a tour bus parked nearby.
The bus was one of several parked nearby to ferry the Kedah supporters home.
“Two of the suspects sustained head injuries, presumably from being struck by the stones,” said Soffian.
The suspects arrested were aged between 18 and 38 and have been remanded for two days for an investigation into rioting and causing damage to property.
Kedah and Penang have had various disputes over the past two years, especially when Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor said he would stop the flow of water from the Ulu Muda water basin to Penang.
Sanusi also made controversial remarks, allegedly saying that Penang in a historical context should pay more gratuity to Kedah, as it was formerly part of the latter.
He is seeking up to RM100 million in annual damages, as Penang was allegedly leased from Kedah based on the historical narratives in Kedah.
Currently, the federal government is annually paying Kedah RM10 million as a goodwill payment to the state. – The Vibes, August 23, 2023
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