Banggar Chairman Said Abdullah Asked PSSI, Kemenpora, And The FIFA Police To Take An Investigation Of The Malang Village Tragedy

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - Chairman of the House of Representatives Budget Agency Said Abdullah asked the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora), and the Indonesian National Police to invite the International Football Federation (FIFA) to investigate the tragedy of the Malang Village Office on Saturday, October 1, 2022 night. This step is important to maintain the credibility of Indonesia's investigations and football in the eyes of the world. "My deepest condolences to the victims, both those who died and those who underwent medical treatment. I hope that the match organizers, PSSI, Kemenpora, local government and the community work together to provide compensation to the families of the victims who died, as well as medical assistance to victims who are being treated at the hospital," Said Abdullah said in a written statement Sunday, October 2. According to him, the sad tragedy at the Kanjuruhan Stadium yesterday, October 1, 2022, really hit the national football arena. It has even become the largest series of humanitarian tragedys in the history of world football. "Therefore, we should be ashamed, and must introspect deeply," he said. In this regard, he suggested that Liga 1 be temporarily suspended until FIFA finished conducting an investigation and issued a recommendation. This is solely to maintain the credibility of the football competition in the country. "The implementation of professional football competitions in the country in the future is not only concerned with business aspects, but also compliance with all FIFA rules from all parties, so that a heartbreaking tragedy such as at the Malang Kanjuruhan Stadium does not happen again," said the politician from East Java. Furthermore, Said suggested, if the league resumes later, then PSSI must conduct an audit of the implementation of every football match, when it starts to be held until the match is over. "And stop the match if there is non-compliance with FIFA regulations. This preventive step is to avoid the sad tragedy in Kanjuruhan that repeats itself," said the politician from Sumenep, Madura "Although the technical affairs of football are the full authority of PSSI, it is necessary for the Ministry of Youth and Sports to participate in providing supervision to assist PSSI, or to remind PSSI of the possibility of non-compliance with the match by the organizers," he added. The PDI-P politician also expressed his condolences for the deaths of hundreds of supporters of Arema Malang in a tragic incident after Arema Malang lost 2-3 Persebaya Surabaya at the Kanjuruhan Malang Stadium, Saturday, October 1, 2022. "Remember, never let football sacrifice human life. We really regret it and regret it at the end of the tragedy. If all parties are always disciplined in carrying out the provisions of the world football parent, FIFA, maybe the tragedy will not happen," he said. He also regretted that this incident occurred in the midst of the pride of the Indonesian people in the achievements of the Indonesian national team which succeeded in defeating the Curacao national team. This country ranks better than Indonesia, namely in the 84th position in the world. In addition, the achievements of the U-17 national team were also stunning in the U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers. "We in the DPR always support the needs of the budget and PSSI and the steps of the Ministry of Youth and Sports when we ask for the naturalization of a number of talented young players, and become a squad for Indonesian football," he said. Said Abdullah hopes that his proposal and opinion will be a productive contribution for the advancement of Indonesian football in the future. "Hopefully we will think about the sad tragedy in Kanjuruhan that can give productive considerations for all parties for the progress of national football and we are a moment of silence accompanied by the sincerity of prayer for those who die, healing for those who are in treatment and patience and fortitude and sincerity for their relatives who died in this heartbreaking tragedy," concluded Said Abdullah.