'Detak' apologizes for report: Wismoyo<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo
\nArismunandar announced on Wednesday representatives of Detak
\ntabloid met with him to apologize for its report alleging his
\ninvolvement in the Bank Bali scandal.<\/p>\n
\"Detak formally apologized to me today (Wednesday),\" he said
\nduring a ceremony to install new officials of the Soccer
\nAssociation of Indonesia (PSSI). However, he refused to provide
\ndetails of the meeting.<\/p>\n
Wismoyo emphasized in his speech that he never received funds
\nfrom any persons allegedly involved in the scandal.<\/p>\n
\"I have never been involved in any scandal. I'm not even aware
\nof the existence of PT Gelora Raya Dana Abadi. I have never
\nreceived financial support (from anyone allegedly connected with
\nthe scandal). I'm not a coward. If I knew about it, I would admit
\nit,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Wismoyo was linked to PT Gelora Raya Dana Abadi in the
\nPricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) audit of the transactions relating
\nto the scandal. PT Gelora reportedly is owned by Soeharto's
\ndaughter Titiek Prabowo and Wismoyo. The company allegedly
\nreceived about Rp 100 billion from Arung Gauk Jerre, an associate
\nof the former state minister of the empowerment of state
\nenterprises Tanri Abeng, who also is the chairman of the
\nIndonesian Tennis Association.<\/p>\n
PSSI chairman Agum Gumelar threw his weight behind Wismoyo,
\nsaying he believed the retired four-star general was innocent.<\/p>\n
\"I know Pak Wismoyo because he was my commander (in the Army's
\nSpecial Force). I'm very upset to hear this news. I keep asking
\nmyself whether Pak Wismoyo would do such a thing. As far as I
\nknow, he is not that kind of person,\" said Agum, who also is
\nminister of transportation.<\/p>\n
KONI vice chairman Arie Sudewo said earlier on Wednesday the
\ncouncil still trusted Wismoyo and treasurer Setya Novanto, who
\nalso is alleged to be involved in the scandal.<\/p>\n
\"We will stick to the presumption of innocence for both
\nofficials until it is proven otherwise. In the meantime, we won't
\ntake any action,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Setya Novanto, Golkar's deputy treasurer, was named a suspect
\nin the scandal, which centers on the transfer of Rp 546 billion
\n(around US$80.3 million) from Bank Bali to PT Era Giat Prima
\n(EGP), a company controlled by Setya and Mulia Group head Djoko
\nS. Tjandra.<\/p>\n
The fee was paid for EGP's services in helping the bank recoup
\nsome $120 million in interbank loans on closed banks, which were
\nguaranteed by the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency.<\/p>\n
KONI is setting up a legal team to find if there is any
\nevidence linking Wismoyo to the scandal. The team, comprising
\nKONI's legal, media and promotional commissions, is chaired by
\nArie.<\/p>\n
\"The legal commission has started to work on it but up to now
\nI haven't received any progress reports on their investigation,\"
\nArie said. \"Pak Wismoyo has denied his involvement with PT Gelora
\nand we, the officials, trust him.\"<\/p>\n
Arie also said Novanto would keep his post as KONI's treasurer
\ndespite being named a suspect.<\/p>\n
\"Pak Novanto has yet to be declared guilty and we found out
\nthat he is still able to perform his duties. Besides, he also has
\nhis deputy ECW Neloe who could replace him,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, KONI official in charge of planning and budgeting
\nTogi Hutagaol said the council provided a Rp 800 million budget
\nto finance preparations for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.<\/p>\n
\"The money was taken from some divisions' budgets because we
\nhave yet to receive money from state enterprises,\" he said.<\/p>\n
KONI drew up a budget of Rp 6.9 billion to organize a
\ncentralized training center, send athletes abroad for training
\nand send athletes to the Olympics.<\/p>\n
Togi said Wismoyo, as vice chairman of the Gelora Senayan
\nManagement Board (BPGS), promised BPGS would financially support
\nKONI.<\/p>\n
\"KONI is trying to lobby BPGS to help us, but I can't predict
\nthe amount of money,\" he said.<\/p>\n
State enterprises promised to provide KONI with Rp 7 billion.
\nAbout Rp 3.5 billion of this amount was used to send athletes to
\nthe 20th Southeast Asian Games in Brunei Darussalam in August and
\nprovide insurance and cash bonuses for Games medalists.<\/p>\n
Togi said KONI had yet to receive the other Rp 3.5 billion.<\/p>\n
\"We will receive the rest when the state enterprises have
\naudited our financial report,\" he said. The state enterprises
\nplanned to perform the audit on Monday, but its auditors did not
\narrive until Wednesday. (ivy\/yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/detak-apologizes-for-report-wismoyo-1447893297",
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