Haringga Sirla Tragedy: Victims Of False Fanaticism Of Persija Jakarta And Persib Bandung Rivalry

JAKARTA - The rivalry of football in Indonesia often takes its toll. Blind fanaticism to the club he is defending is the estuary. His favorite football club is defended desperately like to maintain a dignity. The impact was fatal: fans died.

The tragedy of the death of Haringga Sirla, for example. Haringga Sirla just wants to exist watching his favorite team play in the opponent's cage. Fate says otherwise. He had to stretch to death being beaten by Persib Bandung fans in the Bandung Sea of Fire. In fact, there is no fanaticism as expensive as the price of a life.

Football had become the game of the elite in the Dutch colonial era. Those who can play ball properly are limited to white people only. The Bumiputras seem to have no access to play football. National leaders are also concerned.

Betawi figures Mohammad Hoesni Thamrin and Earth leaders Pasundan Otto Iskandar Dinata are some of them. They broke that racism. Secondly, paving the way for the natives to access football. Soccer field set up.

Both think football is a game for all. Even football is used by them as a means of resistance. Mainly against colonialism and racism. The benefits were only felt when Indonesia became independent.

The sport of football was then developed as a means to strengthen unity and friendship. The narrative clearly sounded heroic. However, there is a dark side. The development of football often brings stowaways. Blind fanaticism, his name.

True fanaticism is okay. Moreover, supporters are the lifeblood of an Indonesian football club. The problem arises when the fanaticism that is embraced is blind fanaticism. The alias of the football club he loves is similar to maintaining dignity, ideology, to self-respect. Therefore, anyone who does not support the club they love, will undoubtedly be treated like a rebel.

"On the other hand, the fanaticism of the fans is also a boomerang against the club they support. Not infrequently we get bad news about the behavior of supporters who are anarchic and act physically violent, even to the point of losing their lives. Supporters who act anarchy is caused by blind fanaticism. When anarchic acts and riots occurred, many media in Indonesia reported about this incident.”

Commemorating 1 year of Haringga Sirla's passing..Today's victory we dedicate to you, friends . Best wishes to you, always 🙏.#PersijaJakarta pic.twitter.com/XAUSAhuTNe

— Persija Jakarta (@Persija_Jkt) September 23, 2019

"We must also meet about the news of the riots on social media. Many netizens uploaded videos and pictures of events during the riots. This is what makes supporters in Indonesia receive a bad stigma from the Indonesian people and from overseas communities," said Endis Citra Pradinda Rahmawati in the book Media and Cultural Development (2020).

Blind fanaticism in loving a favorite football club often invites death. The rivalry between Persija Jakarta and Persib Bandung, for example. Six lives have been lost due to their rivalry between 2012 and 2017. These include the deaths of Rangga Cipta Nugraha (2012), Blue (2012), Dani Maulana (2012), Gilang (2016), Harun Al Rasyid (2016), and Ricko Andrea (2017).

The tragedy of the death of Haringga Sirla then adds to the series of sad stories of blind fanaticism. The 23-year-old man is eager to see his favorite team Persija meet Persib at the Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) Stadium, on September 23, 2018.

Haringga Sirla did not heed the comments of his colleagues to discourage the intention of watching live. He believes he can 'camouflage' among Bebotoh (as Persib Supporters are called). The disguise worked for a while. He arrived in the ring one at the GBLA stadium. In fact, he seemed capable of staying within the crowd.

The man who lives in Cengkareng was actually not satisfied. That said, he dared to issue a Persija supporter's identity card and sticker. Haringga then documented as proof of his existence in the GBLA. Bake away from fire. Bobotoh glances at the action.

Beating is unavoidable. Bobotoh beat Haringga mercilessly. Even the video of the beating was spread among social media timelines. Unfortunate can't be denied. Haringga is battered. He was rushed to a nearby hospital. However, life could not be saved. Haringga died with wounds all over his body.

Haringga's death adds to the long list of rivalries between Persija and Persib. This incident is proof that blind fanaticism, whatever its form, should be avoided. Because, no fanaticism is as expensive as losing a life.

“There is a phrase you often see on the back of a football shirt in Indonesia, especially in Jakarta: Until Death. The last death occurred six months earlier. A 23-year-old Persija supporter, Haringga Sirla, was killed by Persib fans during a game in Bandung.”

"In fact, fans of both sides have been banned from coming when two teams are playing at their respective home grounds. But Haringga chose to disguise himself. He was also arrested by Persib supporters who knew his identity as a Persija supporter. When they saw Haringga from Jakarta the mob beat him to death. He was stabbed, his head was broken, his neck was broken, his nose was broken," concluded James Montague in the book 1312: Among the Ultras (2020).