Indonesia off to winning start in Kuala Lumpur

Indonesia off to winning start in Kuala Lumpur

By Novan Iman Santosa

KUALA LUMPUR (JP): The 21st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games began
on Saturday, with Indonesia setting the early pace in the 10-day
medals race.

Indonesia won two gold medals through its women shooters and
left host Malaysia trailing by a bronze medal when the opening
gala wrapped up the day at the National Stadium in the Bukit
Jalil Sports Complex.

Hours before, former Malaysian cyclist Daud Ibrahim lighted
the cauldron to mark the start to the biennial event, the first
in the third millennium since its inception 42 years ago,
Indonesia picked up its first gold from its women's trap shooting
trio of Sarmunah, Sylvia Silimang and Supadmi who collected 188
points to edge out rivals from Singapore and Vietnam.

Then Sarmunah, a 33-year-old army lieutenant, led compatriot
Sylvia to a one-two finish in the individual women's trap event
to collect her and Indonesia's second gold for the day.

The other two golds at stake were won by host Malaysia, with
victories in gymnastics thanks to its men's team and equestrian
through Kamaruddin Abdul Ghani.

The Malaysian men's artistic gymnastics team scored 208.35
points to upset favorite Thailand and win the host its first gold
medal. Thailand, which complained about the standard of
refereeing, had to be content with the silver by scoring 208.1
points, while Indonesia came third with 197 points.

Kamaruddin, who is ranked fifth in the International
Equestrian Federation for the equestrian endurance race, lived up
to his billing by winning the event and handed his country its
second gold medal.

Countryman Nik Isahak Wan Abdullah contributed the silver.

The Philippines, Brunei, Laos and Cambodia were all left empty
handed after the first day, but there are 387 golds up for grabs
in the rest of the multi-sports event.

Ibrahim lighted the cauldron from one side of the stadium
through a mechanism that runs halfway through the 100,000-seat
main stadium to the other end.

Daud won the 1970 Asian Games 1,600 meter gold medal and took
five gold medals at the Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games,
the old version of the SEA Games.

Malaysian King Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah officially
opened the SEA Games, which was attended by Queen Tuanku Siti
Aishah, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his VIP guests, Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand and Jose Miguel Arroyo,
husband of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines.
Thaksin's attendance also reflected Thailand's close association
with a Games that Bangkok was the first to host in 1959.

Mahathir in a message said he hoped the games would help
further enhance ties among the 10-member Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"Harmonious diplomatic ties among nations cannot be sustained
purely by close rapport among the leaders. Without roots, the
growth of trees cannot be sustained," Mahathir said.

"Indeed, it was with the aim of fostering closer friendship
among the peoples of Southeast Asia that the SEA Games were
inaugurated in Bangkok in 1959."

The crowd packed the stadium for the colorful opening rites
that featured, fireworks, parachutists, a 2,001-member choir and
the traditional parade of the contingents.

Flags of the participating countries were dropped in a
parachute show together with the SEA Games flag and three Games
mascots, locally named Si Tumas (squirrel).

All contingents started to march led by the Malaysian Armed
Forces marching band followed by the Brunei Darussalam contingent
in alphabetical order with host Malaysia at the rear.

Volleyball player Samsul Jais carried the Indonesian red-and-
white flag leading his team mates, who were clad in red jackets
and white skirts or trousers, waving their hands to greet the
spectators.

Chairman of the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games Organizing Committee
(KULSOC) Imran Jaafar said it was a moment of pride for Malaysia
to host the first SEA Games in the new millennium as well as the
fifth Games being hosted here.

He, however, said that SEA Games certainly needed more
improvements.

"The SEA Games is 42 years old and is one of the oldest
running regional Games in the world. In fact, in Asia we were the
first region to organize such an event," he said in a prepared
speech to welcome all participants.

"However, I am not convinced that the standard of sport in
this region is any higher compared to the rest of the world than
it was in 1959," he added.