Palembang Polrestabes Did Not Issue A License For The Slank Concert At PTC, The Reason For The Safety Factor

Slank music band. (Photo via ANTARA/Maria Cicilia Galuh)

Palembang Police did not issue a permit for the Slank music concert which is planned to be held at the Palembang Trade Center. This concert was originally scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 6, 2022.

The reason the police are considering the safety factor of the audience.

Palembang Police Chief Kombes Mokhamad Ngajib explained that the concert titled Beautiful Smile Indonesia Tour will take place in the field area of the Palembang Trade Center shopping complex. In the permit application letter, the organizing committee said that the audience estimate reached 10,000 people.

"After studying, the results were that the police did not provide recommendations or did not give Slank permission to perform in the field at the Palembang Trade Center shopping complex," said Ngakb.

According to him, the location of the concert is in a crowded mall environment, a limited parking lot, which is prone to flooding when it rains.

Then, based on reports from Security Intelligence (Intelkam) personnel, it is likely that Slank fans throughout Sumatra are expected to come to Palembang to watch the concert.

The police then predicted that the number of spectators would be greater than the committee's estimated figure.

"So, if there is a condition that is difficult to control or say chaotic, it will be very difficult to evacuate, not to mention the potential for traffic jams by the queues of spectator vehicles. That's what we convey to the organizing committee," said Ngakb.

With these considerations, he continued, the concert organizing committee then wanted to move the location of the event to the Cambodian Stadium, Ilir Timur 1. However, the Palembang City Government also did not give permission with similar considerations, namely the safety of fans and concert spectators.

Menurut pertimbangan Pemkot Palembang, berbagai fasilitas di stadion yang berkapasitas maksimal 10.000 orang itu sudah dalam kondisi kurang, rawan, hingga rusak karena dikenakan usia.

"Especially if it is used for band concerts like Slank, whose fans are very populist (many), not only in Palembang, so it is very impossible," he explained.

On this matter, Ngakb then advised the organizing committee to review thoroughly, especially by guaranteeing the safety and security of Slank loyal fans and the general public.

Ngajib gave an example of a concert with an electronic ticket system that can record all visitors, such as various music events that have been held in Palembang recently. So, if these indicators are met, the police and the Palembang City Government will consider granting permission.