Petition Demanding Anies Change JIS To MH Thamrin Stadium Still Rolling, But Not Sure To Be Granted By Provincial Government

Jakarta International Stadium Photo via Twitter @aniesbaswedan

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahmad Riza Patria, will accommodate the demands in an online petition asking DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to change the name of Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) to MH Thamrin Stadium.

However, Riza reminded the public that the process of determining the name of this international standard stadium had gone through careful consideration.

"For the current name, the one that has been decided is the Jakarta International Stadium through a long process. However, if there is a suggestion from the community to change another name, of course we will accommodate it," Riza told reporters, Thursday, June 2.

Riza emphasized that it does not mean that the proposals contained in the petition will be accepted. This is because the DKI Provincial Government decides a policy not only from the aspirations of one party.

"Later, we will accommodate all proposals and discuss them. It's not just one who proposes. There are many who have proposed. Please, people who have other suggestions, we will consider them later," he said.

Previously, Betawi historian JJ Riza made a petition on the change.org page demanding DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to change the name of Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) to MH Thamrin Stadium. When confirmed, JJ Rizal said that this petition was supported by a number of other Betawi culturalists.

"Using the change.org platform is to encourage the governor to be more confident that naming the monumental building he built is appropriate, correct and honorable if it is called the MH Thamrin Stadium," said JJ Rizal.

JJ Rizal said that his party demanded that the monumental building be named after a hero. Mohammad Husni Thamrin, for JJ Rizal, is the right name for a character to be immortalized in the magnificent stadium built by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.

Rizal continued, MH Thamrin had succeeded in inheriting modern Indonesian football as a national reactor, so that Jakarta became the national football capital of Indonesia.

"MH Thamrin, the son of Betawi, who became a national hero as well as a monumental hero of Jakarta and Indonesia football. He is a national movement figure who defends the little people in the villages who is not only a football freak and likes to cultivate round skin, but also has a vision of modern football. Indonesia is a reactor for nationalism," he explained.