JAKARTA– The Persija flag flew as more than 30 residents representing eight urban villages in Jatinegara District, East Jakarta, declared their support for Anies Baswedan as a gubernatorial candidate yesterday.

These Anies supporters deliberately displayed the flag of the capital city's beloved football club during the declaration in Cipinang Cempedak, Jatinegara. They are also ardent supporters of the club nicknamed the Macan Kemayoran.

“Persija belongs to Jakarta's residents. So, Jakarta residents should see the Persija symbol,” explained Dewi Mulastri, spokesperson for the Jatinegara District Residents, when contacted on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

Moreover, there was a message they wanted to convey by flying the Persija flag during yesterday’s declaration. They hope that if Anies leads Jakarta again, Persija will be based at the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS), the FIFA-standard stadium built during his tenure as Governor of Jakarta from 2017-2022.

“How can Persija be placed in Bekasi? They should be in Jakarta. Meanwhile, JIS is already there. The residents of Jakarta want Persija's base to be in JIS. We are also addressing the residents' concerns,” said Dewi, a resident of Bidara Cina, Jatinegara.

She is optimistic that Anies will allow JIS to become Persija's home base, especially since JIS was indeed built to be the home base of the club. “That’s why the Persija symbol was placed there,” she emphasized.

As is known, during the 2023/2024 Liga 1 competition season, Persija Jakarta used the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium in Bekasi as their home ground. They even had to move between different stadiums.

Besides Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium and Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Persija also used Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Bali when the situation in the capital was not conducive.

Therefore, as quoted from a news report, the Chairman of The Jakmania, Diky Soemarno, hopes that his favorite team can be based at JIS next season. He hopes Persija can fully use JIS as their home ground.

“Firstly, I hope all stakeholders will help Persija play at JIS next season. All stakeholders, not just Persija. Because they can’t do anything if these stakeholders don’t help,” he said recently.