2.5 Years After Tragedy, Kanjuruhan Stadium Finally Holds League 1

After two years without sporting activities following the tragedy that killed 135 people, Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang will once again host League I football matches. A number of preparations have been made, especially regarding security.

Activity was evident at the entrance gate of the Kanjuruhan Stadium complex in Malang Regency, East Java, Thursday (8/5/2024). Several steward officers were seen preventing unauthorized individuals from entering the stadium area. Officers from the police and the transportation agency were also present at the location.

"We are currently simulating a charity match," said one of the stewards wearing a yellow vest. This afternoon, at 15:30, Arema FC is scheduled to play against Arema All Star. This charity match serves as both a simulation and a means to refine preparations for hosting an official match at the stadium.

Yes, in less than 72 hours, the stadium located in Kedungpedaringan Village, Kepanjen District, will once again be used to host a football match after being halted since October 1, 2022.

At that time, 135 supporters died and hundreds more were injured following the match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya, which ended 2-3 in favor of the visiting team, before the tragic event occurred.

Now, in the remaining time of the 2024-2025 Liga 1 event, there are two matches scheduled to take place at Kanjuruhan. On May 11, the derby match will see Arema FC host Persik Kediri. Subsequently, Arema will face Semen Padang on May 25.

So far, since the league commenced on August 9, 2024, Arema FC has been using Supriyadi Stadium in Blitar City as their home ground. Arema is currently in ninth place in the standings, having accumulated 46 points, just below Persija Jakarta, which has 47 points.

Aside from the renovation of the stadium by the central government, which cost the state budget Rp 357 billion, several preparations have been made to welcome the match. This is not only by the team but also by fans who are part of Aremania and related parties, primarily security personnel.

On Tuesday (6/5/2025), a gathering titled "Realizing Prosperous Malang" was held with the Head of East Java Regional Police Inspector General Nanang Avianto, Malang Regent M Sanusi, three Police Chiefs in the Malang Raya area, the Aremania Utas Presidium which serves as a supporter organization, representatives of Aremania and Aremanita, as well as representatives from Arema FC. The event took place at the Pendopo Agung Malang.

Nanang emphasized the importance of collaboration among security forces, local government, supporters, and club management to maintain security in Malang Raya. According to Nanang, the Kanjuruhan tragedy must not be repeated. He hopes that all parties can look out for one another so that sporting events can be enjoyed together.

According to Nanang, the authorities have designed more humane security patterns. All of this is closely related to the colleagues in the field. A good mutualistic symbiosis must occur. There should be no information blockages on how the match can become a beautiful spectacle.

"We will conduct an assessment for security. We have coordinated with the organizing committee. Therefore, we will implement it as humanely and professionally as possible," he stated. At the end of the gathering, a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah was offered together for the victims of the tragedy.

On April 19, a joint prayer was also held at Rampal Field in Malang City. Thousands of Aremania and Aremanita attended the event titled Halal Bihalal Aremania-Aremanita Sejagat Raya. In addition to the preacher, several religious figures, families of the victims of the Kanjuruhan tragedy, and the regional leadership communication forum were present on that occasion.

After decades in Malang, dozens of years of dualism, finally the supporters can unite.

From the supporters' side, after the tragedy, there has been improvement. Pioneered by Aremania figures in Malang Raya, on June 1, 2024 a national conference (Munas) was held. The result was seven presidiums and the past year has produced progress, one of which is that this organization has been registered with the Ministry of Law along with its articles of association and bylaws.

"After decades in Malang, with years of dualism, finally in the realm of supporters we can unite. Alhamdulillah. We are also striving in the realm of the club to find a way to have only one club in Malang," said Ali Rifki, Coordinator of the Aremania Utas Presidium.

Another progress, according to Ali Rifki, is that they have launched membership cards (KTA). Within a period of 11 months, nearly 7,000 supporters have obtained KTA and are recorded through the application.

"We are the only supporters who have the application and the KTA appears in the application and can be used to purchase tickets and other needs. The application has been launched and is useful because in the application there is updated news," he said.

From a social perspective, they received assistance in the form of an ambulance from the district government. This ambulance can serve five to seven patients per day. The funding comes from the organization's finances, with contributions from members, from Aremania for Aremania.

From the perspective of the stadium, the capacity for spectators has also been limited with the presence of seats in the economic stands following renovations. Previously, more than 35,000 spectators could enter, but now the stadium's capacity is only 21,603 seats, divided into 108 VVIP seats, 2,465 VIP seats, 134 media seats, and 16 disability seats.

An expansion of the entrance/exit has also been carried out, along with a change in the direction of the stairs from vertical to "Z," and the addition of a pathway for persons with disabilities. Additionally, Kanjuruhan is equipped with the Kanjuruhan Tragedy monument, which lists the names of the victims who lost their lives in that tragedy.

The General Manager of Arema FC, M Yusrinal Fitriandi, who was present at the gathering, stated that before the official match, a charity match would be held first. This event will also serve as a simulation of what needs to be done by the relevant parties, the flow of spectator movement, as well as whether the security measures have been implemented effectively.

"Charity online. So everything is like a match. The simulation is real like an official match. The total audience is 2,000 people," said Yusrinal who admitted that the results of the charity match would be allocated for the families of the victims of the Kanjuruhan tragedy.

The Head of Malang Police, Assistant Commissioner Danang Setiyo PS, emphasized that security will be implemented in layers according to operational standards. The focus of security will be on ring 2 or the ticket purchase gate, as well as rings 3 and 4, which encompass the outer stadium area and surrounding traffic access.

According to Danang, his team has also prepared anticipatory measures through intensive coordination with the military, the district government, Arema management, and other elements.

The security scheme will involve more than 2,000 personnel from the Malang Police, East Java Regional Police, the military, the Civil Service Police Unit, as well as medical staff. Traffic engineering will also be implemented, along with emergency evacuation routes and rapid response service posts.

Ring 1 in the stadium is entirely the responsibility of the organizing committee (panpel) and internal stewards.

"The organizing committee has only prepared 10,000 tickets, which are sold online through the Arema Utas application. Tickets can only be purchased by verified members, as a form of restriction and control over the number of spectators. Spectators must be verified as members, bring their e-tickets, and present their ID cards upon entering the stadium," said the Head of Public Relations Section of Malang Police, Assistant Commissioner Bambang Subinajar, adding.

With thorough preparations, it is hoped that the Liga Satu matches at Kanjuruhan—during the remaining time as well as in the upcoming seasons—will not only be safe and peaceful but also enjoyable to watch. As stated by the Regent of Malang, M Sanusi, who expressed his readiness to host the matches.

"We support peace and beauty so that all competitive activities become enjoyable spectacles for the community," he stated. And, of course, it is equally important to ensure that the Kanjuruhan tragedy does not happen again.