Jokowi Plans to Demolish Kanjuruhan Stadium After Meeting FIFA President

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the Freedom Palace in Jakarta, Tuesday (18/10/2022). Infantino visits Indonesia almost three weeks after the deadly Kanjuruhan tragedy that shocked the football fans worldwide. 

Both leaders showed all smiles in their meeting. During the press conference, President Jokowi promised to transform Indonesian football and announced the plan to demolish the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java.

"We agree to perform thorough transformation on Indonesian football," Jokowi said.

The transformation will include ensuring that all matches will follow FIFA's security standards. Jokowi said he has agreed with FIFA to review the properness of the stadiums, while also implementing the use of technologies in order to mitigate various dangers to the audiences as well as to the players.

President Jokowi also conveyed the message from FIFA President that the Kanjuruhan tragedy must not be repeated. More than 130 people died in the Kanjuruhan tragedy in Malang on 1 October 2022, dozens of victims were minor.

"We agree that this tragedy is an important lesson for Indonesian football and the football world," said Jokowi. "And don't let this incident to be repeated, don't let the excitement of football audiences lead to grief and disaster."

Moreover, President Jokowi also pointed out that the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup shall go as planned in Indonesia. He therefore emphasises that its arrangement "must be done according to the FIFA's standard".

Furthermore, President Jokowi has announced a surprising news to demolish the Kanjuruhan Stadium where the deadly tragedy occured. He intends to rebuild it with better standard.

During his earlier conversation with Infantino, President Jokowi said FIFA also supported the plan.

"For Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang we will also demolish, and we will rebuild it again according to the FIFA's standard," said President Jokowi to the reporters.

He accertains that the stadium will be built with better facilities. The central government will directly handle the budgeting. Last week, the Ministry of Public Works audited the stadium and the Minister Basuki Hadimuljono highlighted that there was no emergency door. 

Furthermore, Jokowi says FIFA is planning to invest in stadium building and the safety of audiences. However, Jokowi has not announced the details, and that the government will have further conversation with FIFA about this.

Jokowi hinted at the possibility of the investment talk in Qatar where the World Cup 2022 will soon start or in Bali where the G20 is currently taking place.

During his visit, Infantino wants to help restoring Indonesian reputation, and he does not want Indonesian football to be remembered by the football tragedy.

Infantino said that U-20 would be the most important men's football cup after the World Cup in Qatar. The tournament is regarded as the opportunity for Indonesia to project their image worldwide, not as the country where the football incident happened, but a country with people who love football and a country with vision.

Gianni Infantino came to Indonesia after visiting Malaysia to attend the annual agenda with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). In Jakarta, he does not only meet President Jokowi, but also visits the office of Indonesian football federation (PSSI).

PSSI has been under criticism for years, and the Kanjuruhan tragedy only exacerbates the negative sentiment from the football fans. However, the Chairman of PSSI Iwan Bule (Mochammad Iriawan) has stated he will not resign.

Iwan Bule already apologized for what happened, but then recently a member of PSSI's executive committee was causing an outrage for saying that the Kanjuruhan tragedy was "God's will". 

Lizsa Egeham and Thomas contributed to this report.