Justice for the Victims

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Protesters carry coffins and photos of the victims who died in the Kanjuruhan Tragedy during the "Malang Menghitam" demonstration in Malang City, East Java, on Thursday (10/11/2022). Aremania did a long march from Gajayana Stadium to Malang City Square.

It's been 40 days since the tragedy at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, East Java, occured. Aremania (Arema FC fans) and the victims' families remember the tragedy by holding a street demonstration on the 40th day of the tragedy to demand for justice.

The demonstration themed “Malang Menghitam” (Black Malang) was held in Malang City Square on Thursday (10/11/2022). In addition to posting photos of the demonstration, this daily published a statement from the director of criminal investigations at the East Java Police, Senior Police Commissioner Totok Suharyanto, who said that the tear gas used at the time of the incident, Oct. 1, contained 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS gas), which did not directly cause death (Kompas, 11/11/2022).

However, the results of laboratory tests confirmed that there were other components in the tear gas at the Kanjuruhan Stadium. Those components were the result of the decomposition of the main compound, which harmed those exposed. The Kompas daily investigation team obtained documents from laboratory testing of tear gas samples used by the police after Arema FC's match against Persebaya Surabaya soccer team as part of the BRI Liga 1 Indonesia competition. The document indicates that apart from CS gas, at least four other compounds were found (Kompas, 10/11/2022).

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The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) also presented its findings in early November regarding the Kanjuruhan Tragedy. Komnas also assessed that tear gas was the trigger for the deaths, directly or indirectly, in Kanjuruhan.

The Joint Independent Fact-Finding Team (TGIPF) also suspected that the tear gas that was fired at the spectators at the Kanjuruhan Stadium was toxic and deadly.

These findings are reinforced by the fact that the TGIPF has not received any reports of deaths of victims who were on the field. All 135 fatalities were victims who were on the spectator stands, where most of the tear gas was fired.

There may be debates about the evidence in public discourse. However, the evidence will be tested in court. A panel of judges will ensure the truth of the evidence, including statements of witnesses, experts and defendants. The police have also named six suspects, who are considered most responsible for the Kanjuruhan Tragedy. The Komnas HAM assessed that the number of suspects was inadequate.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Aremania prays for the victims of the Kanjuruhan Tragedy during the "Malang Blackening" demonstration in Malang City Square, East Java, on Thursday (10/11/2022).

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has repeatedly asked for the Kanjuruhan Tragedy to be investigated and disclosed, along with the formation of the TGIPF. It has been 40 days since the tragedy, but the dark clouds of the incident have not been fully dispelled. The victims’ autopsy has been carried out to clarify the cause of death. Now, we are waiting for the end of this case.

The Kanjuruhan Tragedy should be disclosed, but not to blame anyone. More importantly, the case should be settled to bring justice for the victims. The families of those who died deserve transparency on what really happened and anyone who is guilty should be punished. That is justice. This should be a lesson so that similar incidents do not happen again.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi