The Minister Of PUPR Denied The Menpora's Statement Regarding SUGBK: No Renovation Is Needed, Unless There Are As A Result Of Jokowi's Volunteer Activities

PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono. (Photo via Antara/Indra Arief Pribadi)

JAKARTA - The use of the Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) has become a polemic. The public criticized the use of the 2023 U-20 World Cup venue for Jokowi's volunteer activities on Saturday, November 26, entitled "United Nusantara".

In fact, the government, through the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali, once stated that SUGBK could not be used during preparations for the 2023 U-20 World Cup. In fact, PSSI could not even use the Indonesian pride stadium to host the 2023 AFF Cup.

The Minister of Youth and Sports has provided an explanation regarding this. He stated that SUGBK can still be used at this time because renovations for preparations for the 2023 U-20 World Cup have not yet begun.

"If they (Ministry of PUPR) have entered, then until the completion of the (U-20 World Cup) event it cannot be used. Yesterday the PU (Ministry of PUPR) had not yet entered, it had not started. So that size," said the Minister of Youth and Sports at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, as quoted from Antara, Monday, November 28.

Interestingly, this was denied by the Minister of PUPR, Basuki Hadimuljono. He said there were no renovation plans for SUGBK ahead of the 2023 U-20 World Cup.

"GBK has no renovations. There are other stadiums, not GBK," said Basuki, who was also quoted by Antara.

Basuki said the PUPR Ministry only launched renovations for other stadiums such as the Jakabaring Palembang Stadium, Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Bandung Regency, Manahan Surakarta Stadium, Wayan Dipta Bali Stadium and others.

"Oh no, there is no program (GBK renovation). The others," explained Basuki.

"Yes, except later if there is a result from yesterday (the ceremony of Jokowi Nusantara Bersatu volunteers), maybe (GBK renovation). But what we have been surveying outside, Jakabaring, Manahan, Wayan Dipta, Jalak Harupat. GBK doesn't exist," he continued.

As is known, the 2023 U-20 World Cup will be held in Indonesia from May 20 to June 11. There are six stadiums that are prepared to be match venues.

The following are six venues for the Indonesian U-20 2023 World Cup: Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (Jakarta), Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring Stadium (Palembang), Manahan Stadium (Solo), Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (Surabaya), Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium (Gianyar), Si Jalak Harupat Stadium (Bandung).