Aremania's Surat Summasi: Every Time There Is A Problem That Is Blamed, It Is Always The President

President Jokowi accompanied by relevant officials to review the condition of the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang Regency, on October 5, 2022. (Photo of BPMI Setpres)

JAKARTA - After the Arema FC vs Persebaya Surabaya match at the Kanjuruhan Stadium on October 1, 2022, a number of supporters entered the field and approached Arema FC players to provide motivation and support. This is a tradition commonly carried out by supporters, including Arema FC supporters.

Unfortunately, this was responded to by other security forces. They began to take repressive actions by hitting and kicking supporters in the field until the fans were reactive.

This reactive attitude was responded to by the security forces by firing tear gas. Not only towards crowds of supporters in the field, but also towards supporters and spectators in the stands.

As a result, the fans and the crowd panicked. They scattered to save themselves from tear gas smoke. Pushed to find the exit. However, many of them were trapped because the exit in some of the stands was closed.

That testimony was presented by Aremania, Arema FC supporters in a Public Somation letter, Tuesday (4/10). In fact, the FIFA ban regarding the use of tear gas in securing the crowd in the football stadium is clear.

"All related match equipment, as well as other interested parties, must take firm action to investigate, investigate and process law enforcement, so that football's tragedy like this does not happen again," Aremania wrote in the letter.

Head of the Malang District Health Office, Wiyanto Wijoyo, also said that the cause of medical death was shortness of breath. A number of injured victims also suffered fractures.

"Panic, jostling, and possibly being trampled," he told the media crew, Sunday (2/10).

On that basis, Aremania sent an open subpoena. There are 9 points of demand from Aremania, namely:

In response, President Jokowi emphasized that he had formed an Independent Fact Finding Joint Team (TGIPF) so that the tragedy at the Kanjuruhan Stadium could be thoroughly investigated.

"Nothing has been covered up, the wrong thing is also given sanctions," said Jokowi when visiting the victims of the tragedy of the Kanjuruhan Stadium at Dr Saiful Anwar Hospital, Malang City, Wednesday (5/10).

The team was formed to find out in detail the main cause of the tragedy at the Kanjuruhan Stadium. Collecting facts and all information from various parties to then convey it thoroughly to the community. The team will share tasks according to their respective fields.

"There are sanctions from PSSI. The criminal will announce it from the Police, so it will be divided. The audit for the building later that conveys it is from the Ministry of Public Works, but overall the independent joint team for fact-finding will convey it," continued the President.

To be sure, Indonesia's football governance needs to be improved as a whole, both in terms of match governance, stadiums, spectators, and security. The President also added that the International Football Federation (FIFA) expressed its readiness to help improve governance.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD was appointed as Chairman of the Independent Joint Team for Fact Findings. He gave a press statement after reporting to President Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta on October 4, 2022. (Photo: BPMI Setpres)

"I think we really need to evaluate everything, both match management, stadium management, audience management, time management, security management. Everything must be evaluated completely so that this incident that occurred at the Kanjuruhan Stadium does not happen again, everything is clear," he said.

As for the victims of the tragedy of the Kanjuruhan Stadium which is still being treated at the hospital, President Jokowi ensures that all costs will be borne by the government, both central and regional.

Meanwhile, for the victims who died, we have conveyed a little compensation to the victims who died. I know not only from the central government, but the provincial government, the Malang City Government, then Bank Jatim has also provided compensation. Hopefully it can ease the burden rather than the families of the victims.

I regret the tragedy and I hope this is the last football tragedy in the country. Don't let there be another humanitarian tragedy like this in the future. We must continue to protect the sportsmanship of the Indonesian nation," said Jokowi on October 2, 2022.

The Independent Joint Team for Fact Findings (TGIPF) of tragedy at the Malang Steel Stadium was prepared through Presidential Decree No. 19/2022. TGIPF is directly responsible to President Jokowi.

Chairman : Mahfud MD (Menko Polhukam)Vice Chairman : Zainudin Amali (Menpora)Secretary : Nur Rochmad (Former Jampimdum)

Members:

The riot that occurred at the Kanjuruhan Stadium after the Arema FC vs Persebaya Surabaya match on October 1, 2022 (Antara/Ari Bowo Sucipto)

Duties:

TGIPF has the right to get security guarantees when carrying out their duties. In addition, the TGIPF's tenure is a maximum of 1 month from the time the Presidential Decree was determined. TGIPF submitted the final report to President Jokowi. As for the costs required for the implementation of TGIPF duties, it comes from the APBN through the Budget Section of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.