Basketball Indonesia warns coaches not to violate rules

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Jakarta – The deputy chairman of Indonesia’s basketball federation (Perbasi), Christopher Tanuwidjaja, warned coaches on Monday not to breach federation rules or resort to any form of violence while performing their duties.

Tanuwidjaja said any violent conduct, including “indecent verbal abuse,” was unacceptable. “I strongly disagree with and condemn all forms of violence in coaching, including verbal abuse that is indecent,” he told reporters in Jakarta. He added that such negative behaviour reflected a coach’s inability to communicate effectively and revealed a weakness in leadership.

According to Tanuwidjaja, a coach should build healthy relationships with players through communication, role‑modelling and a supportive approach that nurtures both skill and character.

He argued that violence does not foster discipline or respect; instead, it can generate fear that may later turn into resistance. “Fear cannot be equated with respect,” he said, warning that fear‑based tactics could undermine the coach‑athlete bond. Tanuwidjaja urged coaches to understand and obey the federation’s regulations and to conduct training professionally.

The warning comes after a month‑long controversy in Indonesia’s basketball circles. An investigation by the Central Java provincial board of Perbasi (DPD Perbasi Jawa Tengah) into allegations that a coach had abused several young players at a club was submitted to the national board (DPP Perbasi) on 9 August 2026.

The report listed multiple ethical and disciplinary breaches, including verbal harassment, intimidation, misuse of authority, physical assault, threats to withdraw scholarships, punitive measures unrelated to team performance and unauthorized searches of personal belongings.

Following the investigation, Perbasi imposed a ten‑year suspension on the coach, barring him from any activity under the federation’s jurisdiction. The coach has also been reported to police authorities.

Perbasi’s executive board has reiterated its commitment to strengthening rule enforcement and discipline across Indonesia’s basketball environment. The federation’s broader aim is to create a safe development ecosystem for players and students, a priority as the sport gains commercial traction and attracts sponsorships in Southeast Asia.

For Malaysian and regional stakeholders, the episode highlights the importance of governance standards in sports organisations that are increasingly linked to corporate sponsorship, media rights and talent pipelines. Investors and sponsors monitoring the Southeast Asian basketball market may view Perbasi’s decisive action as a signal that the federation is addressing reputational risks and aligning with best‑practice governance, potentially stabilising the commercial environment for clubs, academies and related service providers.

The incident also underscores the role of coaches as key custodians of athlete welfare, a factor that could influence cross‑border coaching appointments and talent exchanges between Indonesia and neighbouring markets, including Malaysia. As the two countries deepen cooperation in sports development, adherence to professional standards is likely to become a prerequisite for joint programmes and league collaborations.

Perbasi’s next step is to roll out further education and monitoring mechanisms for coaches, although the federation has not disclosed specific timelines. The ten‑year ban on the offending coach remains in force, and the police investigation is ongoing.

Related: Christopher Tanuwidjaja · Kuala Lumpur