Moslem leaders politely reject Tapornas plan<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Moslem leaders have politely rejected the
\ngovernment's plan to introduce a fund-raising scheme to replace
\nthe controversial state lottery, the SDSB, saying the plan smacks
\nof gambling.<\/p>\n
Ali Yafie of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI), Amien Rais
\nof the Muhammadiyah and Ilyas Ruchiyat of the Nahdlatul Ulama
\n(NU) have added their voices to those of a group of legislators
\nin calling for the government to review the plan.<\/p>\n
Interviewed separately, the Moslem leaders agreed that the
\nplanned \"Tapornas\" -- an abbreviation for Tabungan Prestasi Olah
\nRaga Nasional, or national savings plan for sports' promotion --
\nappears to contain \"elements of gambling\".<\/p>\n
They told The Jakarta Post they feared the fund-raising scheme
\ncould end up causing as much havoc in society as its predecessor,
\nthe SDSB, did.<\/p>\n
\"We had our hands full of problems for a long time because of
\nthe SDSB,\" Ali Yafie said. \"We should be more careful now. No one
\nin their right mind would want to fall into the same hole twice.\"<\/p>\n
Ali said that Admiral (ret.) Sudomo, now chairman of the
\nSupreme Advisory Board, who helped initiate the state-sponsored
\nSDSB, had admitted that Tapornas appeared to be similar to the
\nlottery, which was abolished in 1993 following massive street
\ndemonstrations.<\/p>\n
Amien Rais said he was shocked because he \"never thought that
\na scheme would be introduced to replace the SDSB\" and that he
\nfeared \"it would only be a reincarnation of SDSB\".<\/p>\n
\"For a country which has been independent for fifty years,
\nit's ironic that we are never able to raise funds for sports
\ndevelopment through more acceptable means,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Why do we have to use unconventional ways, which border on
\nbeing lotteries?\" he asked.<\/p>\n
The respected ulema K.H. Ilyas Ruchiyat, who chairs the rule-
\nmaking body of the NU, said his organization had yet to meet
\nspecifically to discuss the new scheme. However, he said he
\ndoubted that the new plan was any different from the SDSB.<\/p>\n
\"Any kind of plan to raise funds for sports development should
\nbe free of elements of gambling,\" he said. \"Otherwise, Moslems
\nwill reject it. Besides, such a scheme would teach the public to
\nbe lazy...and it would not be barokah, blessed by Allah.\"<\/p>\n
State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman
\nannounced on Wednesday that President Soeharto had approved,
\nalbeit with the proviso that it not be allowed to become a form
\nof gambling, the plan to introduce Tapornas next year.<\/p>\n
\"The President has reminded us to examine the plan thoroughly
\nso that it won't create opportunities for gambling,\" Hayono said.<\/p>\n
Legislators from three factions -- Golkar, the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP) and Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) --
\nin the House of Representatives have expressed opposition to the
\nplan.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, Hayono told the Antara news agency that the plan
\nwas \"anti-gambling\". \"I will ask security personnel to wipe out
\ngamblers who take advantage of Tapornas,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The saving scheme promises an interest rate of between three
\nand five percent per year, as well as raffle prizes up to Rp 18
\nbillion (approximately US$8.2 million).<\/p>\n
\"If people then use the raffle tickets for gambling, then it's
\nbeyond the responsibility of (managers of) Tapornas,\" Hayono
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The government scrapped the SDSB in November 1993 and promised
\nit would seek \"acceptable\" means of fund raising to replace it.
\nThe decision was made following waves of protests from the
\npublic, including religious groups.<\/p>\n
In addition to the religious objections, there were objections
\nto the SDSB on the grounds of its reportedly dubious management.
\nIt was also reportedly exempted from audits.<\/p>\n
Amien Rais suggested yesterday that the government cancel the
\nTapornas plan and, instead, raise funds by imposing on state-
\nowned companies to yield one percent of their profits to
\ncontribute to the development of sports.<\/p>\n
At the time of the closure of the SDSB, Minister of Social
\nServices Inten Suweno called on the public to propose an
\nacceptable fund raising scheme because, he said, the government
\nneeded substantial amounts of money to finance the development of
\nsports and social welfare services. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/moslem-leaders-politely-reject-tapornas-plan-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}