Zainuddin Amali Once Said: It's Not Fair If Menpora Only Focuses On One Sport

JAKARTA - The problems faced by the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) are complex. The problem of the Kanjuruhan Stadium Tragedy has not been resolved. Not to mention the affairs of the football mafia. However, that does not mean that the position of Chairman and Deputy Chairman of PSSI will not be a fight.

Zainuddin Amali intervened. The Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) participated in the PSSI Extraordinary Congress (KLB) and succeeded. He later became Deputy Chairman of PSSI. In particular, he immediately resigned from the position of Minister of Youth and Sports on ethical grounds.

Efforts to develop Indonesian football are not easy. Political content often appears in it. PSSI itself was convicted by the International Football Federation, FIFA to stop all competitions because the government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports tried to intervene in the competition in 2015.

The incident that opened the PSSI ulcers was also present through the Kanjuruhan Stadium Tragedy in 2022. Tragedy raises a narrative that PSSI does not care about the loss of 135 people. The PSSI problem is increasingly complicated with the affairs of the football mafia which often disturbs the course of the competition.

This negligence made all Indonesian people want PSSI to be reformed. Mochamad Iriawan's leadership (Iwan Bule) as chairman of PSSI in the 2019-2023 era did not bring much change. The urge to present PSSI KLB also appears everywhere.

The wish bore fruit. PSSI KLB is planned to be held on February 16, 2023. The PSSI KLB Main Agenda will be filled with the selection of PSSI's new ranks, from the general chairman, deputy chairman, to members of the Executive Committee (Exco) for the 2023-2027 period.

An interesting narrative emerged in the election of the Deputy Chairperson of PSSI. Zainuddin Amali's name appeared. The appearance of the Minister of Youth and Sports clearly received criticism from here and there. This condition is because Amali's presence is considered a way for the state to intervene with PSSI.

Something that once made Indonesian football unlucky in 2015. At that time FIFA stopped all competitions in Indonesia. Even though many also support Amali's participation. He is considered to have a big contribution to advancing Indonesian football.

"I think this (Amali) is so special, yes. We all know that he is a figure who is always there for Indonesian football. In the corona era, when all activities were stopped, Menpora Amali installed a body to hold the Menpora Cup tournament. He not only held it, but really ensured that the course of the match was in accordance with health protocols, checking all items that had been agreed before the match was held."

"Regarding the difficulty of permission from the police at that time when the League wanted to run, Mr. Menpora Amali also intervened, went to the field, coordinated with the National Police Chief to convince him. As a result, the league could run before the last Kanjuruhan tragedy occurred," said Iwan Bule as quoted on the detik.com page, January 17, 2023.

The selection of the PSSI Deputy General Chair candidate was held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta, which was chaotic on February 16, 2023. At first, Amali got the most votes as many as 66 votes. Yunus Nusi also followed Amali by winning 63 votes.

The acquisition was protested by many parties. The atmosphere became chaotic. The issue of a lot of embezzled voices appeared. Re-election was also carried out. The results are different which indicate that fraud actually happened.

As a result, Ratu Thasha Destria appeared as the winner of the most votes with 54 votes. In second place is Yunus Nusi with 53 votes. Amali's only three positions with 44 votes. The drama service happened again. Yunus Nusi resigned.

As a result, Amali and Ratu Tisha became Deputy Chairperson of PSSI for the 2023-2027 era. This condition made Amali urged to resign from the position of Minister of Youth and Sports. The pressure arose because he was afraid that Amali was the government's hand in PSSI intervention.

Amali heeded the wishes of all Indonesian people. In fact, before being reprimanded by FIFA. He chose to resign from the position of Menpora. Resignation was due to ethics. He felt unfair if as a Menpora only made football a golden child.

He also said he wanted to maximize Indonesia's football. As a result, Amali officially resigned on March 9, 2023. Jokowi also welcomed it. Even though Jokowi did not force Amali. Instead, he allowed Amali to have multiple positions as long as he could share time.

"As a Menpora, unfair, ethical, taking care of all sports but suddenly only focused on taking care of one sport. That's why I say, the consequences I have to step down. I have calculated all the risks, what will I face in the ball because this is a unique sport, different from other sports."

"God willing, Erick and I (Thohir, Chairman of PSSI) and others will be able to fix it. But maybe we can do things that are the foundation for the development of Indonesian football, so that the expectations are not too big for achievements and other things," Amali said as quoted by the detik.com page, March 10, 2023.

Amali's decision to resign was greeted positively. Criticism was then directed at Erick Thohir, who was the chairman of PSSI for the 2023-2027 era. Erick did not want to give up the position of Minister of SOEs. Jokowi is also the same again. He allowed his staff to hold concurrent positions as long as they could for time.