Task force Recommends PSSI Take Responsibility

MARINA EKATARI

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD led the Joint Independent Fact Finding Team (TGIPF) to investigate the tragedy of the riot at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, East Java.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The joint independent fact-finding task force for the Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy in Malang, East Java, has submitted its report to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. The task force claimed that the Soccer Association of Indonesia’s (PSSI) management and its sub organizations should be held accountable.

“Responsibility is first based on official regulations, followed by morals,” said Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD during the task force’s press statement on the Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy at the Presidential Office in Jakarta on Friday (14/10/2022).

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Mahfud explained that responsibility based on official regulations refers to legal accountability. “However, the law is not always clear and can often be manipulated, so it’s up to moral principles. What is the law’s moral principle? Salus populi suprema lex esto, the safety of the people shall be the supreme law. And this [Kanjuruhan incident] has already happened, the safety of the people has been infringed,” he said.

Regarding the PSSI, the task force said that the government cannot intervene. However, as a country built on noble principles as well as ethical and cultural foundations, it would only be appropriate if the chairman, along with the executive members, resigned to take accountability for the 132 lives claimed in the Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy.

If not, the government was recommended to bar Liga 1, Liga 2 and Liga 3 competitions.

The PSSI stakeholders were also asked to immediately hold an extraordinary congress (KLB) to select new PSSI leadership and management officials that have integrity, are professional, responsible and free from conflicts of interest. If not, the government was recommended to bar Liga 1, Liga 2 and Liga 3 competitions.

Substantial truth

The task force also pointed out the PSSI’s reluctance to take accountability for various incidents and disasters that occurred during match organization, which was reflected in the PSSI 2021 safety and security regulations. The regulation lets the PSSI off the hook and shifts the blame onto the organizing committee and PT Liga Indonesia Baru as the league organizer.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

The Executive Board of the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) led by PSSI General Chair Mochamad Iriawan attended a meeting with the Joint Independent Fact Finding Team (TGIPF) in Jakarta, on Tuesday (11/10/2022).

“This regulation serves as a basis for the PSSI version of the truth. However, according to Pak Mahfud, it is not a substantial truth. In the tragedy that killed 132 people, the association must take responsibility,” said Anton Sanjoyo, a member of the task force.

According to Anton, the Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy was not caused by a single factor but by many.

For one, the PSSI did not provide adequate socialization or training on FIFA and PSSI regulations for match organizers, the organizing committee, security apparatus and supporters. Neither did the PSSI prepare a match commissioner that understood the duties and responsibilities in accordance with the required qualifications in holding the match.

Meanwhile, the PSSI claimed that it agreed with the task force’s recommendations regarding transforming Indonesian soccer. According to the PSSI’s own investigation team chief Ahmad Riyadh, his party has prepared a plan to improve the soccer system, along with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

“The PSSI has implemented the recommendations made by Pak Mahfud. We are improving all aspects of national soccer so that the lives lost [in the incident] are not in vain,” said Riyadh.

Regarding the task force’s recommendation for the PSSI to immediately replace its leadership and executive committee, according to Riyadh, the association will not act before directly receiving the task force’s report.

I’m afraid acknowledging that would be wrong,” said Riyadh, who also chairs the PSSI Referee Commission.

“I don’t trust that document because there is no letterhead or signature. I’m afraid acknowledging that would be wrong,” said Riyadh, who also chairs the PSSI Referee Commission.

Anton Sanjoyo said that part of the task force’s recommendation document, from page 123 to 136, have circulated amongst the public and is part of the 136-paged report submitted to President Jokowi. “That is the original document. What has been disseminated to the media and the public is only part of the report, so that it is easier to digest,” said Anton.

Soccer culture researcher at Muhammadiyah University in Yogyakarta, Fajar Junaedi, said that the task force’s recommendation clearly asks the PSSI management to step down and immediately hold an extraordinary congress.

“If the PSSI management does not comply with the task force’s recommendation, then relations between the PSSI and the government will worsen. Of course, this also sounds the alarm for soccer in Indonesia. The longer they hold onto their argument, the more uncertainty clouds over soccer,” said Fajar. (CAS/INA/DEA/SAN/DRI/Z08)

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.