TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The former Malang Police Chief adj. Commissioner Ferli Hidayat – who was stripped of his position following the incident that killed over 120 football fans in a match held at the Kanjuruhan Stadium on Saturday – claims he never issued a direct order to utilize tear gas against the agitated crowd.

Ferli’s revelation was mentioned by the National Police Commission (Kompolnas) member Albertus Wahyurudhanto who confirmed it directly to the former police chief. The arguably excessive use of tear gas is one of the aspects of the tragic night blamed for contributing to the deaths.

“There was no order from the police chief in terms of crowd control. No [orders] were issued to act excessively with the help of tear gas,” said Wahyurudhanto.

He added that the former police chief of the East Javan city had conducted his duties based on proper procedures.

“[The personnel on guard were briefed] five hours earlier. So, we see that police, internally, have taken preventive measures and that the police chief saw that procedures were followed,” said the Kompolnas member.

In assessing the other series of unfortunate events that led to the deaths of many, he said that police did not lock the exit gates in the Kanjuruhan Stadium. “We confirmed to him that there were no orders to lock down the exit gates. It was expected to be unlocked 15 minutes [before the football match ended] but why there were locked gates remain unknown.”

One of Tempo’s sources said that when the Kanjuruhan Tragedy broke out, he was outside the stadium. After the long whistle marking the end of the match sounded, he heard five shots of tear gas. “There were many screams and banging [on walls and gates],” Tempo’s source added.

ANTARA

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