Developer Promises to Restore Collapsed Barrier at Jakarta Int'l Stadium

TheIndonesia.co - The developer of Jakarta International Stadium (JIS), regional-owned PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro), has pledged to reconstruct and improve the barrier at the new stadium after it partially collapsed during a launching event last month.

As reported by Antara, after a meeting with Jakarta Regional Legislative Council (DPRD), JIS project director Iwan Takwin cited overcapacity as the main reason behind the collapse.

“One of the reasons was overcapacity. Besides, the horizontal barrier was not meant to be [sat on],” Takwin said on Tuesday, August 2, as reported by Antara.

Local football club Persija Jakarta played a match against Thailand’s Chonburi FC during the ceremonial event on July 24, and thousands of Persija supporters were present at the stadium for the match.

Takwin said the number of present supporters exceeded the stadium’s capacity, and some supporters were also reportedly climbed the barrier to set their banners. Some were even said to be sitting on the barrier which later collapsed.

After the incident, Takwin said Jakpro had decided to improve the structure of the barriers.

A member of Jakarta DPRD Hasbiallah Ilyas suggested that the council should recommend the creation of a special committee to further investigate the incident and to conduct an independent audit.

It was reported lasts month that barrier at the North tribune of the stadium collapsed at 5.40 p.m. local time during the launching event of the brand new stadium which is located in North Jakarta.

No one was injured in the incident.

Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan and deputy governor Ahmad Riza Patria later mentioned supporters’ “high spirits” as the possible culprit.