Police to body search departing East Java soccer fans

Malang Police in East Java plans to search supporters of Arema Malang soccer club, who call themselves as Aremania, before they leave the city Saturday for Jakarta to support their team in a match against Persija Jakarta on Sunday.

“The search will look for alcoholic drinks, sharp weapon, explosive and other illegal possessions,” Arema Malang club spokesman Achmad Gozali told kompas.com.

Many of the supporters have left Malang since Wednesday. However, a large number of supporters will leave Malang on Matarmaja train on Saturday afternoon and will arrive at Jakarta's Senen Station.

Jakarta Police is expected to conduct another search as the supporters arrive there.

Aremania is considered different from the unruly supporters of neighboring city Surabaya’s Persebaya soccer club known as bonek. Aremania is considered a role model for other soccer fans.

The group received an award for model supporters in 2000 and the “Best Supporter” award in the 2006 Copa Indonesia.