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Families of the Kanjuruhan tragedy call for more accountability, heavier sanctions
Negative sentiments surrounding the National Police linger as people remain disappointed with their probe into the deadly Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy despite the police having named six suspects thought to be responsible for the incident.
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Police release tear gas into the crowded stands after a football match between Arema FC and Persebaya at the Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang regency, East Java. (AFP/STR)
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egative sentiments surrounding the National Police linger as people are disappointed with their probe into the deadly Kanjuruhan stadium tragedy despite the police having named six suspects thought to be responsible for the incident.
On Saturday, residents of Malang regency in East Java commemorated a week in mourning for the 131 lives lost at the Kanjuruhan stadium. Banners could be seen across the area bearing messages of condolence and demands for the tragedy to be investigated thoroughly.
“Even after seven days since the Kanjuruhan stadium incident occurred, I am still very sad and grieving,” Indra, an Arema fan and spokesperson for the team’s fan club forum, Aremania Menggugat (Aremania Sues), told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
The group previously signed a public petition demanding the National Police, the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI), match organizer Arema FC and league operator PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) to issue a public apology and admit that the tragedy was entirely the fault of the organizers and those in charge of security.
The same demand was also made against President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and the Youth and Sports Ministry as well as the Indonesian Military (TNI), which was also involved in security at the stadium.
Some officers in military fatigues were caught on camera kicking and hitting soccer fans with batons. TNI chief Gen. Andika Perkasa said the military was investigating five of its members in relation to the incident.
“Those who are wrong must be [criminally] punished, not just removed from their respective offices. [The government] must also pay attention to the victim’s rights, and not just when they perform takziah [comforting the bereaved in Islam],” Indra said.
