Jokowi Asks Menpora To Go Straight To Malang Seeing The Conditions Of Victims Of The Malang Stadium

Mepora Zainudin Amali/ Photo: IST

JAKARTA - Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia (Menpora RI) Zainudin Amali said President Joko Widodo gave directions to go directly to Malang, after the tragedy after the Arema FC versus Persebaya Surabaya match at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, Saturday, October 1. In addition to Amali, Jokowi also asked the General Chairperson of the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Mochamad Iriawan and the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo to participate in seeing the condition of the victims who were being treated at the hospital and visiting the families of the deceased victims. "The government in general and in particular Mr. President Joko Widodo expressed his deep condolences for the tragedy of the riots at the Malang Arbuhan Stadium on October 1, 2022," Amali said in a written statement in Jakarta, Sunday, October 2.

Amali said the incident was very concerning and disappointing. The reason is, the incident tarnished Indonesia's efforts in building national football. "The President has given directions through the Minister of State Secretary to the Minister of Youth and Sports and the National Police Chief to immediately investigate this incident seriously and thoroughly investigate what caused this riot," Amali added. Following up on the directive, Amali said that he was coordinating with the National Police Chief and PSSI to immediately take steps to deal with it quickly and accurately.

Until this news was revealed, the victims who died as a result of the tragedy at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, East Java after the match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya increased to 129 people. Amali hopes that a thorough evaluation of the implementation of football matches, both competitions and tournaments so that the tragedy in the Kajuruhan will not be repeated. "We make this tragedy a valuable lesson that is heartbreaking to all of us and must be the last. Those who must be responsible must of course be able to be held accountable according to the applicable regulations, be it FIFA rules, PSSI rules and other regulations that apply in this country. After I and the Indonesian National Police Chief and the PSSI Ketum arrived in Malang, they will immediately inform the next developments," concluded Amali.