Test of Voter Commitment

National soccer can be overhauled only if the PSSI new chair possesses the courage to take firm action in carrying out reforms. The public expects much from today’s PSSI Extraordinary Congress (KLB).

National soccer can be overhauled only if the Soccer Association of Indonesia’s (PSSI) new chair possesses the courage to take firm action in carrying out reforms. The public expects much from today’s PSSI Extraordinary Congress (KLB).

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Candidates for the general chairperson post of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI), namely (from left to right) Benny Erwin, Sarman, Vijaya Fitriyasa and Rahim, pose for a photograph at a sports discussion in search of a PSSI chairman at Wisma Karsa Pemuda at the Youth and Sports Ministry in Jakarta on Wednesday (30/10/2019). At the event, which was held by SIWO PWI and the PSSI Press, the candidates explained their vision and mission, with most expecting updates and improvements in the PSSI organization system. They also hoped to advance Indonesian soccer.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Voters and PSSI chair candidates are committed to prioritizing integrity at the PSSI Extraordinary Congress (KLB) to thoroughly reform national soccer. Without this vital aspect, it will be difficult to free the PSSI from the grip of the oligarchy that has obstructed the progress of national soccer. Their commitment will be put to the test on Saturday (2/11/2019) at the PSSI KLB in Jakarta.

Ten chairperson candidates, 15 deputy chair candidates and 71 Executive Committee candidates are vying for the support of 86 voters in the KLB. The public is divided in their response to the event. Some are pessimistic, but more than a few are optimistic that the KLB can create positive change at the PSSI.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo expressed his hope that a credible PSSI chair would emerge through the KLB and lift national soccer out of the mud and towards a better future filled with achievements.

Some are pessimistic, but more than a few are optimistic that the KLB can create positive change at the PSSI.

“The government cannot be involved or intervene. The FIFA Statutes make this impossible. So, we can only hope that the PSSI chair will possess good integrity and bring progress to the nation’s soccer,” President Jokowi said on Friday (1/11).

Regarding the commitment to improving the PSSI, nine out of the 10 candidates for PSSI chair stated on Friday that the organization needed a renewal of spirit, including through a leadership election that was clean, honest and free of money politics. Vote buying was believed to be rampant at past PSSI congresses. On Friday, reports said that one PSSI chairman candidate had prepared a “cabinet line-up”, as that candidate was confident that he would win the election.

Kompas

Candidates for the general chairperson of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI).

The nine chairman candidates who stand united under the banner of “New PSSI Towards Change” are Arif Putra Wicaksono, Aven S. Hinelo, Benhard Limbong, Benny Erwin, Fary Djemy Francis, Rahim Soekasah, Sarman, Vijaya Fitriyasa and Yesayas Oktovianus.

“Right now, we are not talking about a coalition. However, we are agreed today to urge voters to conduct the congress cleanly and in compliance with the FIFA Statutes. We also reject all forms of money politics. It is time that voters use their conscience [in selecting PSSI leadership],” Fary Djemy, the spokesperson of the nine-candidate alliance, said on Friday in Jakarta.

Far from ideal

The statement was made in response to widespread concerns over the electoral stages that preceded the KLB, which many had deemed as being far from ideal. Apart from the lack of familiarization regarding the congress’ electoral procedures and the voter list, the PSSI Election Committee had canceled the candidates’ debate. Furthermore, rumors of money politics were widespread ahead of the congress.

It is time that voters use their conscience.

“As a candidate, I am disappointed that the official PSSI debate was canceled. It was the only way for us to talk about our vision and mission to the voters. We really hope for change at the PSSI moving forward,” said chairman candidate Arif Putra, who is also the CEO of Nine Sport.

Newcomer candidate Vijaya said that the fate and future of Indonesian soccer for the next four years lay in the hands of the 86 voters. “Improvements at the PSSI begin at the KLB. Making the wrong move in selecting the chairman will have a long-term effect. All Indonesians will feel the impact. The voters have a moral responsibility to the people,” he said.

The candidates continued in expressing their expectations that the delegations from FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the government would monitor the congress and the 2019-2023 PSSI chairman election to ensure that it followed the spirit of national soccer reform that had been campaigned since 2016, when FIFA sanctioned the PSSI. This dream was yet to be realized.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Candidates for the general chairperson of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) attend a sports discussion in search of a PSSI chairman at Wisma Karsa Pemuda at the Youth and Sports Ministry in Jakarta on Wednesday (30/10/2019). At the event, which was held by SIWO PWI and the PSSI Press, the candidates explained their vision and mission, with most expecting updates and improvements in the PSSI organization system. They also hoped to advance Indonesian soccer.

Separately, Mochamad “Iwan Bule” Iriawan, the leading candidate, said that he would continue to support the Anti-Soccer Mafia Task Force in investigating match fixing. “The task force must continue with its job. When I officially become the PSSI chair, I will push the task force to act firmly on cheating in national soccer,” he said.

Iwan said that he was optimistic he would win the election, as he had the support of 50 percent of voters. “Since March, I have gone around and met with the voters. I told them my vision and mission and listened to the provincial associations and clubs from League 1 to League 3 about the problems they faced. [The other candidates] do not know this,” said Iwan, an active police commissioner general who is the current secretary of the National Resilience Agency (Lemhannas).

Despite being the favorite, Iwan was criticized by his rival Vijaya, who was a student activist of the 1998 reform movement. Vijaya said that he had wanted to support Iwan at the congress, but had pulled his support when he learned that Iwan embraced several oligarchs. Vijaya called the group the “old cartel” in the Mata Najwa TV program on Thursday.

A supporter of Iwan reported Vijaya to the South Tangerang Police on Friday for his statement, which was deemed to have smeared Iwan’s name.

They have always been the same year after year, without changing much. It is like an oligarchy

Vijaya said that he would be ready to fulfill any police summons. “I just want to remind everyone not to repeat the mistake of [electing] Edy Rahmayadi,” he said. Edy resigned midway through his chairmanship.

Oligarchy

According to Viola Kurniawati, the former CEO of the PSS Sleman football club, improving the PSSI meant tackling huge challenges, which would require a strong leader with integrity. She said it was an open secret that the PSSI had always been in the grip of certain oligarchs.

Read more : End Vicious Cycle at PSSI

“National team players always change. Some come and some go. However, this is not the case with voters. They have always been the same year after year, without changing much. It is like an oligarchy,” she said.

Viola said that meaningful change in national soccer would be hard to achieve if these same people retained power in the PSSI through certain candidates.