Political Propaganda Euphemism In The Dispute Of JIS Stadium

Jakarta International Stadium or JIS which continues to be plagued by political polemics. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA The chaos of the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) seems to be crossing after DKI Jakarta passed the reign of four governors. From the time Fauzi Bowo to Anies Baswedan, the commotion related to the thermodern football stadium in Southeast Asia was never over. JIS has become a tool of political propaganda.

The appearance of JIS began in 2008 when Fauzi Bowo or Foke became the ruler of the capital city. JIS land in North Jakarta was originally the Wibawa Human Net Park (BMW) area. The 66.6 hectare land was obtained by the DKI Jakarta Government from the debt of providing social and general facilities for seven private companies.

On August 24, 2008, the initial stage of JIS construction began with the eviction of illegal settlements. Even though it is called a 'illegal residential area', the eviction plan has sparked a polemic of land disputes. The land dispute case was unresolved until Foke ended his position, and the JIS development plan evaporated.

When Joko Widodo (Jokowi) replaced Foke, JIS' development plan was sticking out again. Moreover, at that time DKI Jakarta did not have a football stadium after Menteng Stadium was converted into a park and Lebak Bulus Stadium was converted into an Integrated Moda Raya (MRT) depot.

Jokowi then emphasized that the construction of a new stadium for Jakarta must be carried out immediately.

"If it is not done immediately, it will not start immediately and we do not dare to decide, yes, this stadium will not continue because it is still waiting," Jokowi said on May 28, 2014.

Jokowi stated that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is the owner of the BMW Park land that became the dispute. He showed two certificates as evidence that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government had won a land dispute lawsuit. What happened? JIS development still didn't start until Jokowi became President of the Republic of Indonesia.

In three pieces of money with Jokowi's replacement, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. JIS's development plan was echoed again, but until he stepped down JIS had not been built. Ahok went to prison because the blasphemy case and Djarot Syaiful Hidayat appeared as his successor, even though he had only been in power for 4 months before being replaced by Anies Baswedan.

After the land dispute was claimed to be resolved, the construction of JIS began. As usual, the initial ceremony for the construction of a building was the laying of the first stone. Well, at this stage the chaos began because it turned out that the groundbreaking ceremony or laying of the JIS first stone was carried out three times.

First, Jokowi, who was determined to hold a groundbreaking event on May 28, 2014, even though the dispute case with PT Buana Permata Hijau (BPH) was not 100 percent resolved.

"We have Persija and Persitara. So this is for the headquarters of football clubs in Jakarta. There are Persija, Persitara, and others," Jokowi said at the groundbreaking ceremony at the time.

Three years later, another ceremony was held to lay the first stone for the construction of JIS. This time by Djarot, who also included claims that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government already holds a certificate of use rights for the BMW area. The certificate was issued on August 18, 2017, after DKI was declared victorious at the appeal level in 2015.

Anies Baswedan melanjutkan rencana pembangunan JIS, meskipun ternyata persoalan peraihan lahan belum benar-benar. Pada 14 Maret 2019 lagi-lagi digelar upacara peletakan batu pertama. Di tengah euphoria JIS akan segera dibangkan, muncul kabar Pengadilan Tata Usaha Negara (PTUN) memenangkan gugatan PT BPH pada 14 Mei 2019. Perusahaan itu meminta agar pembangunan JIS dihentikan.

However, Anies did not budge and continued the construction of JIS. Anies stated that JIS land belongs to the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, referring to the decision of the North Jakarta District Court. Long story short, construction continued until finally JIS was inaugurated as a complete stadium with a capacity of 82 thousand spectators on July 24, 2022.

"Today the masterpiece stands in Jakarta. It is prayed for The Jakmania, for the citizens of Jakarta, and for Indonesia. The dreams that some responded with pessimism. We apologize to have to say that we disappointed those who were pessimistic," said Anies during the inauguration of JIS.

Standing majestic after spending a budget of IDR 5 trillion under the supervision of the famous British stadium consultant, Buro Happold, has not suppressed the JIS polemic. This time the issue of stadium feasibility was questioned.

Various issues were raised, ranging from the issue of minimal access in and out of spectators, parker areas in stadiums that cannot be loaded with large buses, to the latest about grass that does not meet FIFA standards. JIS grass was finally decided to be completely replaced so that it was suitable for use as an arena for the U-17 World Cup, which will be held in Indonesia in November-December.

Again, this renovation plan was made a fuss. Even this time it was dragged into political affairs. Renovations are linked to Anies Baswedan's efforts to tackle Anies Baswedan as one of the presidential candidates in the 2024 presidential election.

Immediately or not, JIS has indeed become a tool of political propaganda. As happened at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, whose name was changed to Gelora Senayan during President Suharto's time, before being returned to his real name by President Gus Dur.

What happened at JIS deserves to be called the euphemism of political propaganda. The parties related to JIS are disguisedly claiming and dropping each other. Despite being disguised, what happened to JIS is too naked to be interpreted by many people.

Political games related to JIS are packaged to be beautiful, elegant, and not rude. So a propaganda euphemism was raised. JIS' status as a versatile arena is really being used by Indonesian political actors who are at odds with each other.

Anies, for example, used JIS as an arena for Eid Al-Fitr 2022 prayers when he was still in power. Eid prayers in the DKI Provincial Government are usually held at City Hall around the Monas area. However, after Anies stepped down, JIS was no longer used as a place for Eid Al-Fitr 2023 prayers, and the ritual was returned to City Hall.

JIS up to almost a year after it was inaugurated has never been used for official large-scale football matches. Only small matches and trials were held there.

The existence of JIS is certainly an exciting object to be processed by politicians in this political year. Professionalism, intelligence, skills, and strategies are needed. It is possible that what is happening at JIS at this time is a campaign.

His understanding is not an outspoken campaign. Campaigns could be dressed in friendship, socialization, and even renovations. As happened at JIS at this time.