Joko Driyono (JP/Seto Wardhana)

Head of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) West Java branch Tommy Apriantono urged the federation to deliberate internal consolidation as acting chief Joko Driyono was questioned by the police in relation to allegations of destroying evidence that might have been linked to match fixing.

He suggested that holding an extraordinary congress to appoint a new chief would be a good start in improving the association’s performance and regaining public trust. However, he also acknowledged that going in that direction would be an uphill challenge as it would require transparency and integrity from all stakeholders.

“At the end of the day, improving the PSSI poses a huge challenge for all members. Having one good chief surrounded with those old faces who have surrendered their integrity would mean little for future improvement,” he told The Jakarta Post without elaborating further.

Tommy, who is also a sports scientist, said organizing an extraordinary congress would take four months. First they must meet at an annual congress to form a selection committee and an appeal selection committee for an extraordinary congress before actually organizing one.

“It would take more time to discuss this matter with other stakeholders before coming up with a common conclusion regarding the need for an extraordinary meeting,” he said.

However, a source within the organization who refused to be named mentioned that the police’s ongoing investigation would end up in the absence of improvement as widely expected.

“Money is the name of the game here. There are many invisible hands who are trying to reach out to the PSSI again to take the organization in their direction,” the source said.

Acting chief Joko Driyono left the Jakarta Police headquarters on Tuesday morning after undergoing almost 20 hours of questioning, following the police’s antimatch-fixing mafia task force decision to name him the latest suspect over the allegation of being behind the destruction of evidence in the match fixing investigation.

Joko arrived at the Jakarta Police headquarters on Monday morning along with his lawyer Andru Bimaseta. The task force’s spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said Joko had been showered with questions on his alleged role behind the destruction of the evidence.

“Of all the 32 questions prepared by the police, Joko stopped at the 17th. We will continue the questioning on Thursday as requested by him,” he said, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Argo went on to say that the police might focus next on whether Joko, who will replace Edy Rahmayadi, also had a role in the alleged match fixing that was initially brought to light by third tier club Persibara Banjarnegara manager Laksmi Indaryani. Laksmi reported to the police that she had paid out Rp 1.3 billion (US$92,000) in bribes to have her club promoted to the second tier.

The police also confiscated materials including a laptop and match documents from Joko’s apartment in Kuningan, South Jakarta, during the raid last Thursday night.

From the apartment, the team also confiscated a savings book, cash and nine cellular phones. The police suspected Joko of involvement after questioning three suspects, Muhammad Dani, Joko’s driver, as well as Musmulyadi and Abdul Gofur, both of whom are cleaners at PT Persija’s office. They admitted that they were ordered by Joko to destroy the evidence.

Popular

Kadin urges stability after Constitutional Court ruling

Jokowi says transition to new government to begi

BCA loan disbursement surges 17.1 percent yoy in first quarter