Although there were several controversies, the Games were deemed generally successful with its promotion for conservative effort on endangered fauna species namely the komodo dragon through the mascot and with the rising standard of competition amongst the Southeast Asian nations.

[18] The South Sumatran Office of Transportation, Communication and Information provided a total of 40 buses, 100 midibuses, 300 minibuses and 100 motorcycles for the athletes, officials and journalists.

[19] Besides, a bus rapid transit system, Trans Musi, served Palembang and surrounding regencies of Ogan Ilir and Banyuasin.

[22] On 10 November 2010 in Palembang, Indonesian Minister of Sport and Youth begin a year countdown to SEA Games opening.

[23] A torch relay was held; the flame for SEA Games was taken from Desa Mrapen, Purwodadi in the province of Central Java.

The torch was passed from 6 to 11 November through Borobudur, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Komodo Island and Kupang, Jayapura, Makassar, Balikpapan and Samarinda, Jakarta, and finished in Palembang, South Sumatera.

[29] This logo was introduced during SEA Games Preparation Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta, 3 December 2010,[30] and launched to the public in a celebration of 300 days before the opening ceremony, 15 January 2011 at Teater Tanah Airku, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah.

[31] The official mascots of the 2011 Southeast Asian Games are a pair of Komodo dragons named Modo and Modi.

Previously, the government of Palembang had chosen the Sumatran elephant as the mascot through an open contest, but there was a suggestion from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the National Sports Committee of Indonesia to use rajawali instead.

The 2011 Southeast Asian Games' first theme song, "Ayo Indonesia Bisa" (Come on, Indonesia, you can) was composed by Yovie Widianto and sung by vocalist Ello featuring Sherina Munaf duet vocalist pop music soloist, was the official theme anthem of the 2011 Southeast Asian Games.

A music video of the second theme song, featuring the singers and Indonesian athletes and accompanied by the Victorian Phillaharmonic Orchestra was also released.

The main event of opening ceremony with musical and dance performances and also parade of athletes of participating nations, were held in Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium.

[40][41] Indra Yudhistira directed and concepted the opening ceremony with assistance by music director, Erwin Gutawa and choreographers such as Ari Tulang, Deddy Pudja, Hartati, and Alex Hassim, as well as percussionist Ade Rudiana.

Unlike other opening ceremonies of previous games, Palembang presented an artistic vehicle parade and breathtaking theatrics in the lighting of the flame.

The Southeast Asian Games torch was relayed around the stadium by 4 athletes, and was finally passed on to Susi Susanti, 1992 Summer Olympics gold medalist in Badminton.

The 2011 Southeast Asian Games's second official theme song "Kita Bisa", composed by Addie MS, with lyrics by Jozef Cleber, was performed in the opening ceremony by Dudi Oris, Pradikta Wicaksono, Ello, Judika Nalon Abadi Sihotang, Terryana Fatiah, Astrid Sartiasari and Lala Karmela, accompanied by Victorian Philharmonic Orchestra.

Lala Karmela performed the Southeast Asian Games song "Kita Bisa" just after the torch was extinguished.

Indonesia proposed to hold paragliding, competition climbing, roller skating, bridge, futsal, and soft tennis.

[52] Although the other Southeast Asian countries proposed arnis, muay thai, hockey, netball, pétanque, squash, triathlon, rugby union and cricket.

Datuk Zolkples Embong, the director-general of the council, said: "Why should we [Malaysia] waste time and money to send the elite athletes if it is only for a small gain.

"[57]To anticipate the lack of rooms of hotels and athlete's villages in Palembang, the organizers prepared ships from Pelni and Indonesian navy as an alternative accommodation for delegates.

[64] The gold medal rewarded for Indonesian Dian Kristanto in the Class A Pencak Silat finals has raised criticisms from some countries, namely: Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

[65] Singaporean Pencak Silat referee Jasni Salam and announced Kristanto the winner after he had bitten Anothai Choopeng.

[65][66][67] Vietnam Television at late night gave a comment with quotation from Anothai Choopeng "Except Indonesian here every single body finds who is worth winning.