BANGKOK: A Malaysian martial art coach has been accused of assaulting a Filipino referee at the Southeast Asian Games, Manila’s Olympic body said Wednesday, following protests after a disputed loss.
The latest drama at the regional sport showdown hosted by Thailand unfolded on Monday after a women’s event in pencak silat, a regional martial art, ended in a tie.
Officials gave Thai competitor Chongthima Rueanthong, 22, the win based on a tie-breaker rule, saying Malaysia’s Nor Farah Mazlan, 27, had notched up more fouls, local media reported.
The Malaysian team disputed the ruling, including by chasing after and shouting at SEA Games staff.
“A Filipino judge in the pencak silat event at the 2025 SEA Games was attacked by a Malaysian coach, but is now safe,” according to a statement from Philippine Olympic Committee President Bambol Tolentino.
An aide to Tolentino said a formal protest had been lodged with the SEA Games organising committee.
A SEA Games staffer in Bangkok who spoke on condition of anonymity declined to comment until a “technical investigation is finished”.
“The fight stays on the mats. Egos and frustrations must never translate into violence against anyone—officials, staff, or participants,” Philippine Pencak Silat Association president Princess Kiram wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
“Remember we represent our flag.”