Agum defends Magnum scheme
Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
National Sports Council (KONI) Head Agum Gumlar insisted here on Friday that the controversial fund-raising scheme to be pursued with PT Metropolitan Magnum Indonesia (MMI) should not be considered gambling, but a simple door prize game.
But Agum, also the transportation minister, stopped short of elaborating on the details, only saying that it was too technical for most people to grasp.
Agum said that KONI had assessed the proposal from MMI, a subsidiary of Malaysian gaming company Magnum Corporation Berhad (MCB), and also dispatched a team to Malaysia to obtain an in- depth understanding of the scheme.
"The conclusion is that the proposal is acceptable as it is not gambling," he opined, adding that the scheme was appropriate for the country.
With a fixed Rp 3 billion plus 10 percent royalty every month having already been promised, the fund-raising scheme could greatly boost KONI's financing of its sports development programs.
However, given MCB's reputation in Malaysia, where it garners funds through a lottery, people are suspicious of what it would do here in Indonesia, where gambling is forbidden.
Agum said he was well aware of the public skepticism and challenged anyone to provide a definition of gambling.
He said that what KONI and MMI would be to have a door prize game which were common and used by many companies in Indonesia.
"I wonder why they criticize the program without knowing what the scheme really is. Everyone has really put on blinders and does nothing about the real gambling activities," he said, apparently referring to the many illegal casinos said to exist in the country.
Agum said that the program would be very beneficial for the future of Indonesian sports and it would be the answer to critics who were constantly demanding more medals from local athletes.
"You want improved athletic performance, then you need money," he stated rather emphatically, the tone of his voice betraying his irritation.
The Ministry of Social Affairs has produced a permit for MMI to run the program.
KONI plans to hold a hearing with the House of Representatives Commission VI on Jan. 29. The commission supervises religions, education, culture and tourism.
KONI secretary-general Djohar Arifin Husin said that also on the timetable would be a discussion on a sports development plan, the "Indonesia Rises" program, the 2004 Athens Olympics preparation, a report on 2003 Vietnam Southeast Asian (SEA) Games achievements as well as the upcoming 16th National Games in South Sumatra in September.