Association seeks reelection of Hasan

PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Indonesian track and field society wants to reelect timber tycoon Mohammad 'Bob' Hasan as its chairman for a second four-year term, an official said on Saturday.

The secretary-general of the Indonesian Amateur Athletics Association (PASI) Barmawi Chaidir told The Jakarta Post that all 27 provincial branches had agreed to retain Hasan in the top post.

"It's our wholehearted will to reelect him. In several meetings with provincial executives recently, we learned that they are still in need of him (Hasan)," Chaidir said during an Asian Games simulation at the General Soedirman University stadium.

PASI has moved its national congress back from this month to next year to enable it to concentrate on preparations for the Asiad which will take place in Bangkok from Dec. 6 to Dec. 20.

Chaidir said PASI would not take the police investigation of Hasan into account at the congress.

Hasan, a close business associate of former president Soeharto and minister of trade in his short-lived final Cabinet, has been named as a suspect in an investigation into the misuse of central bank liquidity credits. He is a part owner of Bank Umum Nasional which was recently closed for violating bank rules.

"It's not wise to link his problems to his leadership capacity at PASI. We are not interested in his private affairs," Chaidir said.

Hasan reportedly donates at least Rp 250 million (US$32,895) a month to finance PASI's activities, including the Asiad training program.

Chaidir said Hasan had yet to accept his renomination.

Separately, PASI's research and development deputy, Sumartoyo, said the association expected Supriyati Sutono to win a bronze medal in either the 5,000 or 10,000 meters events at the Asiad.

Supriyati won three golds and set three new records in the 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000 meters events at the 19th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Jakarta last year.

PASI is also grooming marathon runners Ruwiyati and Suryono, long jumper Nyoman Rae and walker Tersiana Ruwirohi for the Asiad.

"There is still a possibility that we will reduce the number of athletes we are sending to Bangkok. All depends on their performance in this simulation," Sumartoyo said. (45/yan)