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Six suspects for the tragic Kanjuruhan Stampede identified by Indonesian Police

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2 years ago

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INDONESIA — Indonesia National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has announced that six suspects have been identified for their involvement in the deadly Kanjuruhan football stampede that claimed more than 130 lives on 1 October.

Listyo also confirmed that 11 personnel fired tear gas in Malang Kanjuruhan Stadium as fans stormed the pitch after the East Java Derby match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya last Saturday, where the match ended with a victory for the visiting side.

He further outlined that tear gas was shot into the south tribune seven times, one shot into the north stand, and three shots into the field.

“This caused spectators, especially in the stands, to panic and tried to leave the arena,” said Listyo. “Many then suffered broken bones, trauma, fractured heads, and some died of asphyxia,”

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa on Tuesday (4 Oct) announced that the death toll of the mass stampede had increased to 131 from the initial count of 125.

The six suspects identified by the Indonesian police include; a security officer, three police officers, an organizing committee, and the head of PT Liga Indonesia Baru (PT LIB) — the operator of the soccer competition.

Listyo shared that one of the police officers — Head of the Operational Division at Malang Police — knew that the use of tear gas is prohibited as contained in FIFA Stadium Safety and Security Regulation Article 19 point B. However, the dismissed officer did not prevent the use of tear gas to dispel the riots after the match.

While Akhmad Hadian Lukita, Director of PT LIB, was guilty of not verifying the safety standard of Kanjuruhan Stadium. The most recent verification was conducted in 2020.

The organizing committee Abdul Haris was named a suspect for ignoring safety after selling the derby tickets exceeding the stadium’s capacity. The capacity of Kanjuruhan was 38,000 seats. However, the number of tickets sold hit 42,000.

Listyo stated that the security officer named Suko Sutrisno was a suspect for allegedly ordering stewards to leave the location, making tens of thousands of supporters being trapped in at the locked doors while trying to avoid the tear gas thrown by the police.

Stewards in soccer (or marshals) must stand by during the match. Some of their duties include handling, preventing overcrowding and ensuring all supporters can enjoy a game safely.

Richard Achmad Supriyanto, Head of the Indonesian Supporters’ Communication Forum (FKSI), told TOC that normally, a pitch coordinator from the playing team’s supporter association had to be deployed to avoid tensions with police officers.

“However, I am not sure that there was a pitch coordinator during the East Java derby,” he stated.

The riot occurred when numerous Arema fans invaded the pitch to express their disappointment at their team’s first loss at home. The police reacted by firing tear gas over the tribune stand, causing panic and stampede as supporters tried to leave the stadium.

Persebaya supporters were banned from travelling to Malang to watch the derby due to security reasons, disputing supposed misinformation reported by several foreign outlets such as ESPN and Bleacher Report that supporters’ clash triggered the chaos.

According to the Head of the Public Relations Division at National Police Insp. General Dedy Prasetyo, as many as 31 police officers had been questioned as of 6 October.

On 3 October, the Malang Police Chief and nine members of the elite force (Brimbob) were discharged due to the tragic incident.

Listyo had earlier been instructed by President Joko Widodo to conduct a thorough investigation on 2 October.

The Indonesian government has also established a fact-finding team (TGPF) to probe the tragedy. The team comprises football experts, former football stars, academicians, and government representatives. Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, leads the team.

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Indonesia

Riau Islands govt reduces Batam-Singapore ferry fares by IDR 30K to boost tourism

The Riau Islands Provincial Government, in cooperation with ferry operators, has reduced the cost of round-trip ferry tickets on the Batam-Singapore route by IDR30,000 (US$2). This reduction, effective 24 September 2024, follows discussions held from 22-23 September. Officials anticipate further pricing adjustments as part of ongoing efforts to ensure affordability.

Published

2 weeks ago

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30 September 2024

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INDONESIA: The Riau Islands Provincial Government and ferry operators have agreed to reduce round-trip ferry ticket prices for the Batam-Singapore route by IDR30,000 (US$2), effective from 24 September 2024.

This decision followed discussions between the government and ferry operators held from 22-23 September 2024.

Junaidi, Head of the Riau Islands Transportation Agency, confirmed the fare reduction in a statement on 24 September.

He explained that the IDR30,000 (US$2) price cut resulted from ferry operators’ calculations and marked the first phase of a broader review of Batam-Singapore ferry pricing.

This initial reduction aims to establish a more suitable pricing structure for ferry services between the two destinations.

Junaidi referred to remarks by Governor Ansar Ahmad, who emphasized the importance of conducting a detailed survey to understand the root causes of high ferry ticket prices.

“As Governor Ansar has mentioned, a survey will be conducted to identify the causes of the high ticket prices to determine the appropriate pricing for Batam-Singapore ferry tickets,” Junaidi added.

One factor contributing to the increase has been the rise in seaport taxes, particularly in Batam, where the tax increased from IDR65,000 (US$4.3) to IDR100,000 (US$6.62).

Additionally, ferry operators cited rising exchange rates, higher fuel costs, increased counter rental fees, and crew salary hikes as key reasons for the surge in prices.

While ferry operators have raised concerns about these pressures, Junaidi stressed that a comprehensive survey would be essential to verify the claims and guide future pricing decisions.

He noted that further steps would be taken once the survey is completed.

Junaidi also addressed ongoing delays in finalizing visa-on-arrival (VoA) regulations for foreign tourists, stating that simplifying the VoA process could significantly impact ferry passenger numbers.

He believes that easing these regulations would encourage more foreign tourists to travel between Batam and Singapore, potentially increasing ferry occupancy rates.

The issue of high ferry ticket prices has been a long-standing concern for local authorities.

Governor Ansar Ahmad had previously announced plans to form an investigation team to address the significant price hikes that have occurred since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fares for the Batam-Singapore route experienced a sharp increase, with prices doubling after the pandemic.

One-way ticket prices, which were previously between IDR250,000 (US$16.55) and IDR350,000 (US$23.17), surged to IDR500,000 (US$33.1) to IDR550,000 (US$36.4).

In a press release issued on 23 September 2024, Governor Ansar further detailed the fare hikes, stating that round-trip ticket prices, which were once around IDR480,000 (US$31.77), had risen to approximately IDR760,000 (US$50.3).

Governor Ansar highlighted the importance of reducing ferry ticket prices to boost passenger occupancy rates and attract more foreign tourists, aligning with broader efforts to revitalize tourism in the region, which was heavily impacted by the pandemic.

The recent IDR30,000 (US$2) price reduction is seen as a first step in adjusting ferry prices to more affordable levels, with further reviews and negotiations expected to ensure sustainable and fair pricing for the Batam-Singapore route.

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Crime

Singaporean man arrested in Batam for alleged child sexual abuse

A Singaporean man was arrested in Batam, Indonesia, for sexually abusing his 16-year-old stepdaughter. The 50-year-old was apprehended at his residence in Batam on 7 September. Local authorities accused that the perpetrator repeatedly assaulted the victim during his visits to Batam, and the abuse is believed to have lasted for more than two years.

Published

3 weeks ago

on

23 September 2024

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BATAN, INDONESIA:A Singaporean man has been arrested in Batam, Indonesia, on charges of sexually abusing his underage stepdaughter for over two years.

The 50-year-old suspect, identified only as AH, was apprehended at his residence in the Mutiara View housing complex on 7 September.

As per reported by local media, police alleged that AH repeatedly sexually assaulted his 16-year-old stepdaughter, AF, during his frequent visits to Batam.

According to Senior Police Commissioner Heribertus Ompusunggu, chief of the Barelang precinct police, the perpetrator engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim an estimated 120 times during his weekly trips to the Indonesian island.

The alleged abuse began in June 2022, shortly after AF, who used to live with her grandmother in Karawang, West Java,  moved to Batam to live with her mother.

One day in July 2022, the girl slept in the same room with AH while her mother was in another room.

The police believed that after AH may have gave AF a drink laced with jasmine flowers, he allegedly sexually assaulted her.

On 7 September, the victim’s mother sought help from a friend to escape the house, unable to endure her husband’s violent behaviour and the sexual abuse of her daughter.

The victim’s mother was afraid to report the abuse due to repeated threats from the alleged perpetrator.

The police have detained AH for further investigation into alleged violations of the 2016 law on child protection.

If found guilty, he could face a prison sentence of five to 15 years, with an additional punishment of one-third of the jail term due to his status as the victim’s stepfather.

 

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