Police hold off PSSI soccer playoff permit

Police hold off PSSI soccer playoff permit

JAKARTA (JP): The National Police are recommending
postponement of the Indonesian soccer league playoffs until after
the June 7 general election.

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Togar M. Sianipar said on
Wednesday thorough consideration of the security situation and
Jakarta as the venue was made before issuing the recommendation.

"We know most soccer events here are always colored by
disturbances and some end up with unrest so we have to be careful
in holding such big events during the upcoming general election
as we'll see political party campaigns and mounting protests," he
said.

The All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) announced on
Saturday it would stage the playoffs, scheduled from March 16 to
March 26, at the main Senayan stadium in Central Jakarta. It said
a contingency plan for unrest was already devised.

Togar noted the stadium's location in the downtown area,
surrounded by many important state and private buildings.

"We (police) have to think twice to approve the plan due to
many aspects, specially the security." He said the police would
coordinate with PSSI on rescheduling the event.

Togar hoped the organizer would move the playoffs to other
cities.

PSSI reportedly requested permission from the Jakarta Police,
which deferred to the National Police.

"If the Jakarta Police think they can handle the security,
they don't have to ask for our consideration. However, this is a
different case," Togar said.

PSSI originally planned to stage the playoffs in three major
cities of Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan, North Sumatra.

In contrast, State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung
Laksono urged PSSI to keep to its plan.

"The competition must take place because it's really important
for our athlete development and for our national unity. If any
soccer fans want to commit vandalism, don't come to Jakarta," he
was quoted by Antara as saying after delivering a speech at the
National Coordination Meeting on Youth Affairs and Sports.

Agung was optimistic the police would shortly issue the permit
to stage the event.

Earlier on Wednesday, Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho
Djajoesman said he had yet to receive an instruction from the
National Police on issuing a permit for the event.

Noegroho said he would deploy his officers to secure the
playoffs if the permit was issued. About 500 police officers are
currently deployed to secure the capital. (emf/yan)