Consortium owes banks Rp 40b for SEA Games
Consortium owes banks Rp 40b for SEA Games
JAKARTA (JP): The 19th SEA Games consortium has borrowed Rp 40
billion (US$11.1 million) from banks to cover its spending during
the Rp 105 billion biennial event.
State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman said
after meeting President Soeharto at Merdeka Palace yesterday that
the consortium had to return the money by October next year with
15 percent interest.
"The government did not give any direct assistance, including
presidential aid, except by ordering the interest rate to be
lower than the normal 40 percent," Hayono said.
He declined to mention which banks provided the cash.
Hayono said the consortium expected to raise more money
through the sticker sales extension from Oct. 11 to Dec. 31.
The consortium will publish its accounts in the next month.
These which will be audited by registered public accountants.
The consortium reported that it received Rp 4.2 billion from
state-owned PT Telkom, Rp 2.95 billion from state-owned PT PLN
and Rp 14.06 billion from other sticker sales. It has also
received Rp 18.75 billion from PT Angkasa Rona Graha, which was
appointed by the consortium to collect the money from the sale of
stickers.
The consortium received pledges of Rp 20 billion from
sponsors. But some advertisers, particularly those at the track
and field and swimming venues which featured a variety of
sponsors, may not pay their full pledges. The Association of
National Private Banks gave Rp 1.5 billion.
"In total the consortium has received Rp 39.96 million since
the beginning of the fund-raising effort," Hayono said.
"The Indonesian Consumers Foundation estimated the consortium
would be able to raise Rp 72 billion but the consortium said it
had only collected Rp 39.96 billion.
"It's difficult for us to know the full truth until we get the
information from PLN, Telkom, the Ministry of Transportation and
the driving license extension office," he said.
Hayono urged the foundation not to call on the public to
boycott the sticker sales.
"I hope the foundation will be more patient and not make such
unnecessary calls. After the foundation receives the audited
reports, I don't mind if it gives comments or makes calls," he
said at his office later.
"I think the public help, by paying for the stickers, is
useful because our athletes have won an unexpected number of gold
medals and set many SEA Games records and a junior world record."
Hayono said sticker sales was not an appropriate way to raise
funds to develop sports in the country.
"The sticker sales is only appropriate for situational events,
such as the SEA Games and the National Games. But for a longer-
term sports development program, it's improper."
"My office is discussing with the Office of the Coordinating
Minister for Production and Distribution to find an alternative
way to support sports development. It must not be via gambling,
cause a burden to the public or affect the high cost economy."
Apology
Hayono said he had also apologized to the President for the
chaos during Saturday's Games men's soccer final and the
basketball semifinals on Friday, which was attended by the
Philippines' National Olympic Committee chairwoman, Christina
Ramos-Jalasco.
"The President was silent but I think we have to realize we
must not have a repeat of such a humiliating situation in the
future. The chaos was not because the matches were for free but
because we still need to give the public attitude lessons."
"If only the public could be patient, I think Indonesia would
not have got the silver. Our players were stressed by the brutal
spectators' behavior," he said.
Hayono also expressed his disappointment at a statement by
Hotel Mulia, which said that the hotel would be a business hotel
and not an athletes hotel.
The hotel's public relations manager, Ira Maya Sopha, said
that the hotel was only built to accommodate the Games athletes.
"Now the event has finished, the hotel will be open to the public
and won't provide special floors for athletes."
Hayono said: "I was very shocked to hear that but I'll check
it with the hotel's director, Joko S. Tjandra."
Allowances
Hayono also promised nearly 100 youths who went to his office
yesterday to discuss their allowance problems with the Games
organizers.
About 660 youths who took part in the opening and closing
ceremonies, have complained that they received unfair treatment
compared to the flag and participating countries' board carriers.
Wing Prasetyo, representing the youths, said they only
received Rp 200,000 for transportation fees but some of them had
had to stay in Bandung and Bogor.
"But the flag and board carriers got more money and they got
better costumes and meals during the practices," he complained.
Hayono asked them to return today to hear the results of his
discussions. (prb/yan)