FAM urged to tighten control at stadiums during clash-prone matches

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin wants the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to study cases of clash-prone matches so that they can tighten security control to ensure that the fracas which broke out after the Malaysia Cup match between Sarawak and Perak last Saturday will not recur.

He said FAM and the local authorities should give more attention to the security control at all stadiums where clash-prone matches took place.

"The fracas which broke out at Kuching's Stadium Negeri shouldn't have happened, but when energy and enthusiasm were high, negative things like fights and fracas are prone to happen, especially with weak security control.

"So, I would like to ask the police and FAM to tighten the security control and I leave it to the police to carry out further investigation," he told reporters after participating in the aerobic programme organised by Era FM radio station at Titiwangsa Lake Garden here today.

The minister also advised all football fans to behave themselves when watching a football match in stadium to prevent untoward incidents.

The Saturday fracas at Kuching's Stadium Negeri broke out after the match ended with 1-1 draw, which sent Sarawak out of the Malaysia Cup competition.

Hundreds of unsatisfied fans inside the stadium were reported to have thrown bottles, firecrackers and burning flares, while those outside went on causing damage to public properties and even overturned and torched police vehicles.

In another development, Khairy said the FitMalaysia programme scheduled to be launched at Dataran Merdeka on Sunday was aimed at, among others, making Malaysia a sporting nation, turning Malaysians into a fit and healthy society, and inculcating unity among the multi-racial people.

"After Dataran Merdeka, we will go nationwide and I will personally lead the move," he said.

Various activities had been lined up for the programme this Sunday, including running, cycling, martial art, aerobics and Zumba dance workout.