TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo stated that he has no problem with his two subordinates, SOE Minister Erick Thohir and Youth and Sports Minister Zainuddin Amali, who have two concurrent positions as ministers and administrators of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI). Jokowi stated that he allowed his ministers to hold multiple positions.

“The most important thing is all can manage the time,” Jokowi said when attending the 50th Anniversary of the United Development Party (PPP) at ICE BSD, Banten on Friday, February 17, 2023.

The PSSI Extraordinary Congress held on February 16, 2023, officially declared Erick as the chief and Zainuddin as the deputy chief.

The President mentioned that several of his ministers also lead sports organizations, such as PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono as Chairman of the Indonesian Rowing Sports Association (PODSI) and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto as Chair of the Indonesian Wushu (WI) Executive Board.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan also acted as Chair of the All-Indonesian Athletics Association (PASI) and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto leads the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI).

Jokowi also did not question that PSSI has a different capacity compared to other organizations. For him, it is only a matter of management. “Time management, organization management, and management planning. This is about the management,” Jokowi underlined.

Jokowi reiterated that the government did not intervene in any way in the PSSI's decision. However, he pinned hopes that there will be total reform in the association.

Jokowi also mentioned the possibility that he would meet Erick Thohir and Zainuddin Amali next week to ask about their targets at PSSI. He then reminded Erick about other important issues, namely infrastructure development considering the national team does not have a basecamp.

“When I talked with Shin Tae-Yong, he said five fields are needed in one location, [equipped with] an inn and a swimming pool,” Jokowi said.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

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