TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - According to Taufik Hidayat, the lawyer for the chairperson of the Arema FC football match executive committee Abdul Haris, on Friday defended his client’s innocence in the inquiry of the Kanjuruhan disaster that claimed the lives of 135 people. Hidayat said that Haris had even requested police to not use tear gas in maintaining the stadium’s security prior to the match.

Taufik said that his client had implemented the Security and Safety Regulations issued by the Indonesian football regulatory body PSSI during the fateful match between Arema FC vs. Persebaya Surabaya, Saturday, October 1.

He insists that Abdul Haris’ request came after an incident in 2018. “Because it happened once in 2018 which claimed one life, but in Kanjuruhan the number became more than 200,” said Taufik to Tempo on October 28.

Taufik stated that Abdul Haris had resigned himself to the legal case that ensnared him. From a legal perspective, he explained, the responsibility for the Kanjuruhan Tragedy lies with the Malang Police Chief Ferli Hidayat, who has now been removed from the position.

"[He is accepting his fate] because of the moral responsibility, he is ready to face whatever the law has in place for him. Actually, the executive committee cannot be legally indicted for criminal acts. The responsibility of the [football match’s] security lies with the Police Chief," he said.

HAMDAN CHOLIFUDIN ISMAIL

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