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Spotlight back on policing after Indonesia evades FIFA sanctions
Critics have described the police's use of tear gas in the Kanjuruhan tragedy as "misplaced", pointing to the normalization of the national security approach employed by the country's security personnel.
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This picture taken on Oct. 1 shows tear gas released by police among people crowded in the stands after a football match between Arema FC and Persebaya at the Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, East Java. (AFP/STR)
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fter a tense week of anticipating the worst-case scenario from FIFA in the aftermath of the Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy in East Java, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has announced that world soccer’s governing body has decided not to sanction Indonesia, which is due to host the U-20 Soccer World Cup next year.
Instead, FIFA and the government will work together to “overhaul Indonesian soccer” to prevent similar tragedies from occurring – including what observers see as a heavy-handed approach to policing soccer matches.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino informed President Jokowi of the organization’s decision in a letter dated Oct. 5.
As revealed in the letter, the overhaul process, which will also involve the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI), targets several key issues: stadium safety standards, match policing protocols, social engagement with fan clubs and supporter groups and match scheduling.
During his visit to Kanjuruhan last week, Jokowi ordered a full audit of all stadiums used for professional matches, but remained silent on the use of tear gas by the police, which many regard as one of the main causes of the stampede that killed 131 people, including children, on Oct. 1.
The stakes are even higher now after a National Police spokesman confirmed reports that several of the tear gas canisters used by the Mobile Brigade had already expired.
“Yes, we found some tear gas canisters that had expired in 2021, some canisters. I don’t have the number, but the police laboratory unit is looking into this,” said Insp. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo, as quoted by Kompas.com on Monday.
