The Anthropology of Football in Indonesia: Politics and Its Game

As a hook, I would like to emphasise one sentence before I begin writing this article: The relationship between politics and football is undeniable. What is the rationale behind this? Since each person has a unique purpose and vision for achieving their goals, football may occasionally be the most efficient means of achieving them.

Football in Indonesia intertwines deeply with politics. To highlight this bond, consider how individuals use football to advance personal missions and visions, often intertwining it with political matters. Look no further than the conflicts arising between football club owners and supporters over reactions to global events, like the Palestine-Israel conflict.

Events like the FIFA U17 World Cup held in Indonesia demonstrate how bidding processes and decisions become entangled within a political game. Even in a neutral context, President Joko Widodo's urging of Mr. Erick Thohir to assume the PSSI chief role and intense meetings with FIFA President Gianni Infantino signify the political undertones present within FIFA's strategies.

Football and politics in Indonesia reflect two sides of the same coin. During my thesis defence on the Indonesian National Team Football Jersey, I stumbled upon captivating articles by Colombijn (2000), Aji (2013), Pranata (2021), and others. These pieces shed light on how football has served as a political tool in Indonesian communities since the Dutch East Indies era up to President Soekarno's tenure. Initially confined to Dutch communities, football gradually garnered popularity among Indonesian students, spreading across various regions.

The genesis of the first national football federation in the Dutch East Indies in 1919 paved the way for local competitions, ultimately leading to the formation of the PSSI in 1930. The PSSI's evolution and rivalry with Dutch-led entities marked a shift in football's landscape, intertwining with ethnicity and politics.

As the PSSI gained strength and unity, conflicts arose, leading to the formation of Persis Solo, PPSM Magelang, PSIM Yogyakarta, Persebaya Surabaya, Persija Jakarta, PSM Madiun, and Persib Bandung under the leadership of Ir. Soeratin Sosrosoegondo in 1930. The subsequent PSSI Congress in 1950 saw the federation renamed Persatuan Sepakbola Seluruh Indonesia (PSSI), with Soeratin appointed as its chairman.

The PSSI's activities initially ran parallel to those of the Dutch-led NIVB and other similar entities. However, clashes with the Dutch government prompted the PSSI to introduce initiatives in opposition. The federation's initiatives, like the "Stridij programme," acted as political endeavours by various parties and organizations. This led to the establishment of stadiums like the Sriwedari Stadium, marking a resurgence of "national football" under PSSI's leadership.

The complexities continued as the NIVB transformed into the NIVU and sought cooperation with the PSSI. However, conflicts persisted, exemplified by the Dutch East Indies national team's participation in the 1938 World Cup, sparking disputes between the PSSI and NIVU.

The Japanese invasion in 1942 halted football activities in the Dutch East Indies, silencing the PSSI under Japanese rule. This enforced inactivity continued with the establishment of Tai Iku Kai by the Japanese government, signalling the PSSI's dormancy.

Independence struggles in Indonesia have impacted football organizations. The renaming of NIVB to VUVSI/ISNIS and the emergence of PORI alongside PSSI's efforts to gain international recognition at the 1948 London Olympics showcased the complexities of Indonesian football amidst geopolitical changes.

Post-independence, PSSI emerged as the sole football association in Indonesia, with President Soekarno using football to strengthen nationalism.?Soekarno utilised football to bolster nationalism both domestically and internationally. Domestically, football served as a competitive arena to scout the best players for the Indonesian national team. The government supported sports infrastructure development, such as the construction of the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, to accommodate more spectators and supporters. Internationally, football became a platform to showcase achievements and prowess in prestigious competitions, for example, the Asian Games in 1962. Aside from football, Ganefo 1963 is part of the Presiden Soekarno political game to boycott the Olympics and IOC with the statement:

“The International Olympic Games have proved to be an openly imperialistic tool... Now, let’s frankly say that sports have something to do with politics. Indonesia proposes now to mix sports with politics, and let us now establish the Games of the New Emerging Forces, the GANEFO, against the Old Established Order.”

Despite football's rich history as a political tool, recent years have seen its exploitation for personal gains. Ex-PSSI Chairman Iwan Bule's speculated gubernatorial candidature and multi-position holdings, like Gen. Edy Rahmayadi's, reflect the intertwining of football and political aspirations.

The ramifications of holding leadership roles in football and politics intersect, influencing club branding and business strategies. The involvement of celebrities like Raffi Ahmad in football clubs and multi-club player transfers raises questions about political affiliations. This complex history signifies the blurred lines between football and politics. Football's potential as a tool for political manifestation often overshadows crucial issues like the Kanjuruhan tragedy, with negligence prevailing over genuine investigations.

The utilisation of football as a political instrument is also observed at the local level, where it encompasses the strategic management of a club's branding. Do you recall my earlier post regarding the mascot and primary colour of Persekat Tegal? In Manado, there's a club named Sulut United that owns the Klabat stadium. The tribune gleamed with a vibrant shade of red. It's insanely ironic because the club's main colour is blue, similar to Manchester City or Lazio. Based on the available evidence, it appears that the Regional Leadership Council in Manado intends to incorporate the political affiliation of the Red Bulls, the leading political party, into the aforementioned football club. Isn't it funny?

Other cases probably my former team, PSIM Yogyakarta. The ex-chariman of PSIM Yogyakarta was an ex-mayor of Yogyakarta, Haryadi Suyuti. In 2010, Haryadi Suyuti became the chairman of PSIM Yogyakarta while serving as the vice mayor of Yogyakarta. It's a double interest, and at that time, football teams in Indonesia are still dependable on the Local Government Budget (APBD), which still has a lot of potential for the involvement of the local government in Indonesian football. The impact for Mr. Suyuti was that he gained trust from PSIM stakeholders (and there's a rumour that Maident, the PSIM Ultras, was created under his belt in 2010, once established conflict with Brajamusti, the first PSIM supporters group). He became mayor in 2011 and retained that double position until 2015, when he was criticised because there's a prohibition on holding multiple positions stipulated in the Minister of Home Affairs Regulation No. 800/148/sj dated January 17, 2012. The circular mentions that first- and second-level regional heads, public officials, including members of the Regional Representative Council (DPRD), and civil servants are prohibited from holding concurrent positions in sports organisations such as KONI and regional PSSI, as well as in the management of both professional and amateur football clubs. Despite regulatory prohibitions, individuals often leverage their positions for political gain.

Football in Indonesia remains a thriving industry, where money speaks volumes. However, ethical considerations and the responsibility of stakeholders, be they players, coaches, or owners, must not be overlooked amid political manoeuvrings.

Looking ahead, football's connection with politics in various regions remains uncertain. Furthermore, football's potential to fuel political movements also exposes it to the risk of exploitation for personal interests.?With the lens of anthropology, there will never be a simple guidebook or method about how football can be a great way of achieving its political interests.

The complexities of utilising football for political ends require understanding local contexts and ethical considerations. Every region in Indonesia has its own unique political interests that intersect with football, shaping its course.

This article seeks to unravel the intricate relationship between football and politics in Indonesia. Your stories and experiences from different regions could shed more light on this multifaceted dynamic.