Agung thinks again on idea

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Agung Laksono, said yesterday he would reconsider his idea to raise fund for the 13th Asian Games from the public.

Agung said during a visit to sports equipment factory Nassau in Citeureup, West Java, that the program was to serve as the last resort whenever the National Sports Council fails to cover a Rp 2 billion deficit in its budget set for Indonesia's participation in the games in December.

"Do we really need to ask the public to donate their money, while the government has provided most part of the fund? I believe the council will be able to meet the budget," he said, as quoted by Antara.

Agung previously suggested the cash-strapped council to raise fund from the public. The council rejected the idea and instead planned to collect fund from businesspeople who regularly gave financial assistance to various sports organizations. (yan)