TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - INDONESIA’s dream of hosting the U-20 World Cup was dashed when the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on March 29 stripped Indonesia of the rights to host the event. Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) Chair Erick Thohir flew to Qatar in a futile attempt to lobby FIFA President Gianni Infantino as the latter remained firm with the decision.

Erick subsequently reported the meeting outcome to President Joko Widodo citing two possible reasons: the regional government heads’ refusal to allow the U-20 matches in their region, and security concerns.

Muhadjir Effendy, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Affairs currently doubling as acting Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, revealed that Indonesia had given several conditions to FIFA: among others, not hoisting the Israeli flag, not playing the Israeli national anthem, and playing in an empty stadium.

However, he could not confirm if it was these conditions or the protest from the Muslim organizations coupled with the letter from Bali Governor I Wayan Koster rejecting the presence of the Israeli team that had led to FIFA’s decision. “We don’t know either. FIFA only said it was due to the current circumstances,” Muhadjir told Tempo reporters on April 1.

Before being appointed as the acting sports and youth affairs minister on March 16, Muhadjir was the chair of the steering committee for the 2021 U-20 World Cup which was canceled due to the pandemic. Below, Muhadjir explained a myriad of issues surrounding the government’s efforts to lobby FIFA.

What preparations were made for the U-20?

The preparations had been handled by the Deputy V coordinator of the human development and culture affairs division in charge of fostering sports performance because we didn’t think there was anything crucial. Around January, we had a coordination meeting and only then did we start paying attention to the Israeli team. It should be understood that we were preoccupied with Covid-19. And it was the concern of the PSSI. We should acknowledge that it was one of the factors. The second factor was the change in PSSI leadership. That also had an effect. Not to mention the Kanjuruhan case that also distracted us.

What did you do when you learned that Israel made it through the pre-qualifier?

I wrote to Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud Md. for an immediate security coordination meeting.

Was the Israeli team already an issue during the limited meeting in January?

No, it wasn’t. Many Israeli delegations have attended events in Indonesia, not only during Pak Jokowi’s era but also before that. But they were invited by international organizations. We were just the place of these events.

The same as this U-20?

Yes. The foreign affairs ministry has the requirements for Israeli delegations that enter Indonesia.

What kind of requirements? Like they cannot hoist their flag?

Yes. Nor should they play their national anthem. There are a few. I proposed the same to the PSSI for negotiation with FIFA. There were no peculiar conditions.

What conditions were proposed to FIFA?

No national anthem. No Israeli flag. I stick to the foreign ministry’s regulations. It’s just that I added a condition of empty-stadium matches.

Did you anticipate the rejection (from the public)?

Yes, that there would be resistance but not anything serious. After all, mass organizations usually stage protests regarding Palestine. But I did write to Pak Mahfud for additional security. Just in case.

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What is the government’s reaction to the demonstrations against Israel’s (presence)?

Normal. They got our attention but we didn’t see any threat. We had a coordination meeting. And Pak Mahfud and I went to see the president on March 21 at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport after his return from Papua and reported this development.

What about the protests against the Israeli team?

We also briefed him about Pak Wayan Koster’s letter. Then Pak Mahfud gave the update on the latest developments based on input from BIN (State Intelligence Agency) and Lemhannas (National Resilience Institute).

What did the president say?

He said, “Well, we must pay attention to everything. But the show must go on.”

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) officially rejected the Israeli team...

It was at the upper level. The bottom line is that we secure the bottom level. I as the chair of the U-20 steering committee worked to improve the fields that got negative reviews from FIFA.

Is it true that there were reports of escalating demonstrations?

Yes. That’s why I went to see the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) right after my inauguration.

Why?

Because pro-Palestine demonstrations have always been attached to Muslim organizations.

Did the MUI also object to Israel's presence?

Vehemently at first. They became a bit relaxed after I explained. We know we have to comply with the regulations. There are regulations for events that involve Israel. It’s been going well so far and it does not violate the Constitution. It means Indonesia’s foreign policy is firm, and does not change let alone leans toward violating the constitution. I as the president’s aide must protect the president and not let him carried away and violate the Constitution. He could be impeached.

Did the president order the meeting with the MUI?

It was my initiative. I knew the (protests) by the Islamic mass organizations were escalating.

Don’t mass organizations such as Nahdlatul Ulama tend to be moderate?

Muhammadiyah is also relatively moderate. I heard that Haedar Nashir, Muhammadiyah’s Chair, sent a message to Bu Retno (Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi), “Please continue to apply the rules on the Israeli (team) as the foreign ministry has always done when Israelis come to Indonesia.”

Did you really see a threat?

Personally, I don’t see any serious threat.

What was the official reason the government gave to FIFA?

The same suggestion that I gave to the president when I met him at Halim Airport. So that people won’t be led to think that we broke the law, and changed the foreign policy that supports the Palestinians’ rights. We must not allow ourselves to be seen as violating the Constitution, particularly the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution. That’s why I made that suggestion. It was not unfounded. We’ve used it all this time to negotiate with international institutions which hold events in Indonesia.

The president agreed?

He did.

Read the Full Interview in Tempo English Magazine

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