Govt Allows League 1 to Resume after Kanjuruhan Tragedy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government has officially allowed the Indonesian League 1 (Liga 1) football competition to resume. The announcement was made after a meeting between Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD; Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali; and National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo at the Coordinating Ministry for Politics, Law, and Security Affairs office on Monday, December 5, 2022.

Indonesia's top-tier, second-tier, and third-tier football competitions, Liga 1, 2, and 3, were suspended following the disaster on October 1, 2022, that killed 135 people and injured hundreds at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang Regency, East Java.

"The league resumes, the schedule has been drawn, and PSSI will manage it. And the National Police Chief has guaranteed security. This football competition is permitted without spectators," Mahfud announced in a press statement.

"Then along with that, the reform of national football, especially PSSI, continues according to the discussions of PSSI and FIFA," Mahufd added.

Mahfud also said that the recommendations of the Kanjuruhan Independent Fact Finding Team (TGIPF) have been followed up. In the security sector, the National Police had issued a Police Regulation (Perpol).

"Stadiums are renovated in order to meet international standards. The legal process runs according to applicable regulations," Mahfud informed.

Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali said the football competition is necessary for the Indonesian team. Moreover, AFF 2022 Cup and U-20 World Cup are coming.

"The league or competition resumes thanks to coordination with the National Police, PSSI, and PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) [which will be] under a very strict guide," Amali said.

MUHAMMAD NURHENDRA SAPUTRA

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