Debate rages on over new lottery proposal<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The debate raged on yesterday over a
\ncontroversial planned lottery to raise funds for sports
\ndevelopment despite an earlier condemnatory edict from the
\nIndonesian Ulemas Council (MUI).<\/p>\n
National Sports Council Chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar
\nexpressed his regret yesterday over the edict, saying the ruling
\ncame prematurely.<\/p>\n
\"This fund-raising program has yet to materialize, but it is
\nalready judged a violation of Islamic principles,\" Wismoyo said
\nafter visiting the archery training center in Senayan, Central
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
\"We haven't even met with each other for a discussion. I
\npersonally want to consult with the preachers and seek their
\nadvice so that we can improve our proposal.\"<\/p>\n
The sports council presented the plan to the Indonesian
\nConsumers Foundation Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The MUI issued the edict on Wednesday following a two-day
\nspecial internal meeting called in response to a growing polemic
\non the lottery plan proposed by the sports council.<\/p>\n
In a statement signed by its chairman Hasan Basri, secretary
\nNazri Adlani and the executive in charge of devising edicts
\nIbrahim Hosen, the MUI said the lottery would foster fraudulent
\npractices and cause financial losses to the public.<\/p>\n
Wismoyo defended the proposal and said the religious body
\nmight have received misleading information about its intent.<\/p>\n
\"We have never thought of causing the nation to live in
\nmisery. I don't think the scheme is against Islamic principles.\"<\/p>\n
The council introduced the new scheme in a bid to secure Rp
\n100 billion (US$7 million) annually from coupons sale. It badly
\nneeds a new source of income after the SDSB lottery was banned in
\n1993.<\/p>\n
Participants who purchase coupons costing Rp 5,000 would be
\nentitled to prize money up to Rp 100 million.<\/p>\n
Wismoyo said the MUI and the consumers foundation could be
\ninvolved in the management of the new fund-raising program to
\nensure its transparency.<\/p>\n
Modifications<\/p>\n
Separately yesterday, Minister of Social Services Justika S.
\nBaharsjah responded cautiously to the edict. While reiterating
\nher belief that the new scheme would not tempt people to gamble,
\nshe suggested several modifications to the program.<\/p>\n
\"Everything is negotiable. Perhaps we could increase the prize
\nmoney and reduce the number of winners,\" Justika said after a
\njoint meeting with other ministers in charge of people's welfare
\nand poverty eradication.<\/p>\n
She complained the public had negatively prejudged the scheme
\neven though it was still under study by a team she established
\nlast month.<\/p>\n
\"I'm sure the new scheme is totally different from the now
\ndefunct SDSB. The new one works the same way as someone who sells
\nhis or her products by offering prizes to attract buyers.\"<\/p>\n
Justika suggested organizers should increase the coupon price
\nbecause a relatively cheap rate would encourage people to
\npurchase tickets merely for the prizes instead of the main aim of
\nfostering sports development.<\/p>\n
Under the proposal, the coupons can serve as tickets to attend
\na sports game within a year, except for final and semifinal
\nmatches.<\/p>\n
Justika promised to thoroughly study the plan before issuing a
\ndecree of approval.<\/p>\n
Unlike Justika, State Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs
\nAgung Laksono urged the sports council to abide by the religious
\ncouncil's edict.<\/p>\n
\"The edict suggests that the sports council find a means other
\nthan coupon selling. I'm afraid that if the sports council
\ninsists on going ahead with its plan, it will only provoke more
\nacrimonious popular opposition,\" he said. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/debate-rages-on-over-new-lottery-proposal-1447893297",
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