KUALA LUMPUR – The Buddhist community is advising extreme football fans to take a step back and reflect on their actions following recent provocative social media posts by the football fan page Bola Tribe.
These posts have sparked outrage among Selangor FC supporters and the wider community.
The posts, which mocked a Buddhist temple and a religious figure, have led to calls for investigations by authorities and prompted multiple police reports from Selangor FC.
One of the controversial images featured a photo of a Buddhist temple with the word “Tokong” (meaning temple in Malay) on its facade, while another depicted a meditating monk with the text “The Real Tokong” overlaid, with the figure’s face obscured by the Selangor FC logo.
Speaking to Scoop, Pek Chee Hen, secretary of the Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council, called for calm and restraint among football fans.
“Sometimes football fans can be very emotional, but I’m advising them not to resort to violence and not give in to emotions too much. Everybody wants to see football in Malaysia grow healthily,” said Chee Hen.
He acknowledged that while the usage of the word “Tokong” was inappropriate, Buddhists are generally tolerant and understand human fallibility.
“Everybody has their reasons and rights to voice out, but maybe it could have been done more kindly and professionally,” he added.
Chee Hen also said that the Buddhist community does not plan to lodge additional police reports, appreciating that others have already done so to address the disruption of religious harmony.
“I think we don’t need to add too much fuel to the fire. I hope this doesn’t escalate and everybody should calm down.
“Instead, channel that anger and think of what positive things we could do for football in the country,” he urged.
Emphasising the importance of controlling negative emotions and refraining from mocking other religions, Chee Hen highlighted the significant role fans play in the positive development of football.
“Undoubtedly, the presence of fans is very important. Some of the great things we have achieved have also been contributed by the huge support from fans.
“This is the kind of positive development we want, not swaying to the negative side,” he said.
Chee Hen also advocated for the principles of Buddhism, which emphasise emotional control, compassion, and wisdom, urging individuals to act wisely and for the betterment of the country, state, and football club.
Bola Tribe’s posts followed a recent controversy involving Selangor FC and the Malaysian Football League (MFL) over the punishment imposed on the team for withdrawing from the Charity Shield match on May 10.
Lembah Jaya assemblyman Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad, popularly known as Altimet, has also urged police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to investigate the posts for their potential to incite racial and religious hatred, falling under the 3R (race, religion, and royalty) category. – July 2, 2024