FPSI Supports Petition To Change JIS Name To MH Thamrin Stadium

Visitors enter the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) area from the west side, in North Jakarta, Sunday (13/3/2022) ANTARA/Dewa Ketut Sudiarta Wiguna

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) faction of the DKI Jakarta DPRD supports the petition to change the name of the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) to MH Thamrin Stadium.

The chairman of the PSI faction of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Anggara Wicitra Sastroamidjojo, said that this attitude was because his party considered that the stadium, which was built with public money, should be a symbol of the struggle for football in Jakarta and Indonesia.

"Indeed, we should use a name that has cultural elements or Betawi figures because this is a dream with the citizens of Jakarta, it was also built using Jakarta residents' tax money. During the momentum, we must correct the name JIS because it collided with regulations, we can use the name MH Thamrin Stadium accordingly existing aspirations. It can be discussed with Betawi figures right now," said Anggara, quoted by Antara, Friday, June 3.

Anggara believes that the name MH Thamrin is suitable as the name of the stadium because he is known as one of the important figures who contributed to encouraging football in Jakarta and Indonesia.

"He is a Betawi figure who encouraged Soeratin Sosrosoegondo to form PSSI, then there is a history of encouraging the restoration of Petojo Field for local residents as a form of resistance for Dutch citizens who at that time played soccer at Menteng Field," said Anggara.

The Deputy Chairman of Commission E of the DKI Jakarta DPRD hopes that this name issue will become an evaluation momentum for the DKI Provincial Government to pay more attention to the problems of applicable regulations and listen to the aspirations of the community in every development plan.

"We must realize that what is built by the APBD must return to the citizens of Jakarta. Therefore, community involvement in planning is very important," said Anggara.

Previously, historian JJ Rizal made a petition to change the name of Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) to MH Thamrin Stadium.

The petition is entitled "JIS Name Is More Suitable For MH Thamrin Stadium!" It was made because Rizal considered the naming of JIS a violation of Law Number 24 of 2009 because it uses English.

According to JJ Rizal, the name Jakarta International Stadium is considered unable to spur the spirit of national football because it does not use the name of an inspiring historical figure.

More precise

Rizal said the name MH Thamrin was considered more appropriate for the international standard stadium.

"Thamrin is a national hero as well as a Betawi figure, a native of Jakarta. Furthermore, Thamrin is not only the founder of the nation who is 'gibberish', in the sense of being fond of grazing, but also has a vision of modern Indonesian football as a national reactor," said Rizal in the description of the petition.

Rizal tells the story of MH Thamrin who used to struggle to voice the issue of quality indigenous football but was discriminated against.

According to Rizal, Thamrin's dedication and legacy to football has become an invaluable debt of gratitude.