IPOH, Oct 4 — Perak FA (PFA) are fully behind Ipoh police’s decision to tighten security ahead of today’s Malaysia Cup Group B clash between Perak and Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) after it was revealed certain individuals were planning to incite trouble.
PFA secretary Abdul Aziz Yeop Jamaluddin said he had not heard of any such plans but admitted some provocative statements could have been made on social media sites.
“For all we know, these people might not even come to the game. But it is always better to be safe than sorry.
“This fixture is known to get quite heated, so we are very thankful for the police presence,” he told Malay Mail yesterday.
On Friday, Ipoh police chief Asst Comm Sum Chang Keong said police would be on full alert after receiving information there could be trouble brewing.
Sum said drums, gongs, and prohibited items like weapons and flares would not be allowed in the stadium.
He said police would conduct thorough checks at all gates.
He added police would also monitor buses carrying JDT supporters, after objects were hurled at the vehicles in previous matches in Perak.
Perak Die Hard Fanz club president Roslan Mat Baharom said he was disappointed with the decision to ban drums and gongs.
“They are brought in to pump up the atmosphere. As long as we support our team and refrain from antagonistic chants, I don’t see anything wrong,” he said.
“However, we support the call made by the police and we are hoping for a good match. I hope all the supporters behave themselves.”
Recent clashes between Perak and JDT have been marred by ugly skirmishes between supporters in Johor and Ipoh.
In the previous fixture in Larkin, a Perak supporter was allegedly injured by an object thrown by a home fan. JDT won 2-0.
It was reported the JDT team had fortified their team bus with surveillance cameras, lighting, and metal grills in preparation for today’s match.
