PDIP Secretary General: Agreeing With Jokowi, Don't Mix Sports With Politics

JAKARTA - Secretary General of the PDI-P (PDIP) Hasto Kristiyanto stated that there is no difference in views between his party and President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) regarding political and sporting separations. There should be no practical politics in any sporting event. "It's not different (the view, ed). That's clear, Mr. Jokowi (stated, ed) don't interfere with sports with politics, don't put up party flags in stadiums where FIFA matches exist. Don't bring practical politics like that. We agree," said Hasto to reporters in the Gelora Utama Bung Karno Stadium Area (SUGBK), Senayan, Central Jakarta, Thursday, March 30. Even if Jokowi wants the U-20 World Cup to continue to run, continued Hasto, this is certainly in line with Indonesia's commitment to winning the auction of the host country. "You must be consistent, please, a president, a leader," he stressed. Hasto also emphasized that his party had never rejected Indonesia as the host from the start. PDIP clearly only rejected the presence of the Israeli national team. He ensured that Indonesia could certainly be a good host, if the U-20 World Cup was implemented.

"What we are doing is lobbying FIFA to implement the same standards when FIFA removes Russia because aspects of humanity and international law are treated the same as Israel," he said. "If that happens, we will host the best in the world and that will also be confirmed by PDIP," continued Hasto.

As previously reported, FIFA officially revoked Indonesia's status as the host of the U-20 World Cup due to the current situation in the country. This is allegedly due to the swift rejection of the Israeli team's participation in the U-20 World Cup. The rejection also came from the Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo and Bali Governor I Wayan Koster. In fact, Ganjar's Instagram account was invaded by disappointed Indonesian U-20 national team players.