DPR, KONI need outsiders to investigate SEAG case<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): It has been almost four years since the National
\nSports Council (KONI) held the 1997 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games,
\nbut questions about a fund-raising program for the event remain.<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives (DPR) is seeking outside help to
\ncontinue the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of Rp 9
\nbillion (US$900,000) raised through the sale of stickers.<\/p>\n
\"It will depend on the House members' desire to investigate
\nthe alleged embezzlement, especially those from Commission VI for
\nhuman resources and religion affairs,\" House member Ismangoen
\nNotosapoetro told The Jakarta Post in a telephone interview.<\/p>\n
\"The amount is relatively small and contains little or no
\npolitical value. But still it is a case that involves the abuse
\nof the public's trust.\"<\/p>\n
Ismangoen called on individuals or institutions who had
\ndetailed information of the matter to bring it forward to the
\nHouse.<\/p>\n
\"I believe institutions like the Indonesian Corruption Watch
\nhave vital information about the case, and therefore I urge these
\nbodies to give the information to House members.\"<\/p>\n
KONI cooperated with a consortium of entrepreneurs led by
\nformer president Soeharto's son Bambang Trihatmodjo to raise
\nmoney for the Rp 156.6 billion Games.<\/p>\n
The Games stickers were sold at numerous companies and
\nbusinesses providing public services, including telephone
\ncompanies, water firms, airlines and hotels.<\/p>\n
The public was extremely critical of the program from the
\nstart because the purchase of the stickers was compulsory.<\/p>\n
The consortium was plagued with problems and was eventually
\nsaddled with huge debts it could not repay.<\/p>\n
Records show the consortium owes some Rp 11 billion to the
\nthen Gelora Senayan Management Board, the Jatiluhur water
\nreservoir authorities and hotels which provided accommodation for
\nparticipating athletes.<\/p>\n
It also used Rp 35 billion of reforestation funds meant for
\nthe Ministry of Forestry.<\/p>\n
In its audited report, the consortium claimed Rp 68 billion in
\nfinancial losses. It borrowed Rp 23 billion from Bank Artha Graha
\nto ease the deficit.<\/p>\n
Former state minister for sports and youth affairs Hayono
\nIsman said the sticker program was never approved by the now
\ndefunct state minister's office.<\/p>\n
\"Any information regarding the sticker program can be obtained
\nfrom the State Secretariat since the state minister's office has
\nbeen dissolved,\" Hayono said as quoted by Kompas last Saturday.<\/p>\n
Ismangoen said the money in dispute was not a great amount for
\nthe entrepreneurs in the consortium.<\/p>\n
\"It is only Rp 9 billion and I think they could just pay it
\nback together. I don't think it would be too much of a burden for
\na person like Bambang,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"But it depends on their conscience if they will do their part
\nto contribute to the nation.\"<\/p>\n
Separately, KONI vice chairman Arie Sudewo told the Post the
\ncouncil had no problems with the consortium.<\/p>\n
\"Our job was only to prepare for the technical aspects of the
\nGames as a part of the organizing committee. KONI was not
\ninvolved in the fund raising or any other financial matters,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"It was a cooperation between KONI, which had the task of
\norganizing the Games, and the consortium, which had the task of
\ngetting the necessary capital.\"<\/p>\n
Arie said KONI was grateful to the consortium for providing
\nthe money needed to stage the Games.<\/p>\n
\"Thanks to the consortium's efforts, KONI was able to stage a
\nsuccessful Games. The Games could have been canceled without the
\nconsortium's money,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"However, we learned that we need a public accountant for any
\nfuture cooperation with the private sector in order to ensure
\ntransparency.\"<\/p>\n
Arie also admitted the consortium had yet to fulfill its
\nfinancial responsibilities to KONI in the form of insurance
\npremiums.<\/p>\n
KONI presented Games medalists with insurance policies as a
\nshow of its appreciation. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dpr-koni-need-outsiders-to-investigate-seag-case-1447893297",
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