Agum defends Magnum scheme

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.