Association seeks reelection of Hasan

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)