Controversy Surrounds Dismissal of Four KONI NTT Staff

The dismissal of four staff members from the National Sports Committee of Indonesia (KONI) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has come under intense public scrutiny. The four employees, who have served KONI NTT for many years, allege that their terminations are politically motivated.

The affected individuals include Maria Goreti Kara, who served as an assistant to the KONI NTT treasurer for 22 years; Suyani Sinlae, an administrative and organisational staff member for 15 years; Yasinta Sanggu Doa, who served for 14 years; and David Hadjoh, a cleaning staff member for five years.

Suyani Sinlae stated that she was dismissed without any clear justification. She accused the General Secretary of KONI NTT, Alfons Theodorus—who also serves as the Head of the NTT Youth and Sports Office—of conducting a unilateral dismissal process. “When we asked for the reason, they did not answer. They said the reason could not be disclosed,” Sinlae said in Kupang, NTT, on Monday.

Sinlae further alleged that she and the other three staff members were replaced by individuals close to the Governor of NTT, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, who also serves as the Chairperson of KONI NTT. According to her, the new staff members include members of the Golkar Party and former campaign team members from Laka Lena’s tenure in the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI).

“They themselves mentioned that they work for Golkar, and some were part of Brother Melki’s campaign team during his time in the DPR RI,” said Sinlae, a former athlete who represented NTT in Kempo at the 2000 and 2004 National Sports Week (PON).

Maria Goreti Kara, who earned a monthly salary of Rp 2.4 million, maintained that she had performed her duties effectively for decades. “Our salaries were in accordance with the provincial minimum wage (UMP). There have never been any findings of misconduct. Every year, we have submitted performance reports to the Sports Office,” she stated.

For David Hadjoh, the dismissal has created significant financial hardship. As a father of three, he expressed his struggle to provide for his family following his termination. “I am just an ordinary citizen supporting my family through my work as a cleaning service provider. As the head of the household, I must support my wife and three children,” he said.

In response, the Governor of NTT and Chairperson of KONI NTT, Laka Lena, addressed the situation, denying any political bias. He claimed the replacements were not based on personal connections. “Whether they are close or far, the important thing is that they work well. The point is, whoever performs well will be brought in,” Laka Lena said.

Laka Lena asserted that the changes were intended as an organisational refreshment for KONI NTT. The Golkar politician added that he was merely executing a process initiated by his subordinates. “I only received reports regarding the need for refreshment. I processed it; the process was already underway below. I am merely the executor,” he concluded.