Debate rages on over new lottery proposal
Debate rages on over new lottery proposal
JAKARTA (JP): The debate raged on yesterday over a
controversial planned lottery to raise funds for sports
development despite an earlier condemnatory edict from the
Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI).
National Sports Council Chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar
expressed his regret yesterday over the edict, saying the ruling
came prematurely.
"This fund-raising program has yet to materialize, but it is
already judged a violation of Islamic principles," Wismoyo said
after visiting the archery training center in Senayan, Central
Jakarta.
"We haven't even met with each other for a discussion. I
personally want to consult with the preachers and seek their
advice so that we can improve our proposal."
The sports council presented the plan to the Indonesian
Consumers Foundation Tuesday.
The MUI issued the edict on Wednesday following a two-day
special internal meeting called in response to a growing polemic
on the lottery plan proposed by the sports council.
In a statement signed by its chairman Hasan Basri, secretary
Nazri Adlani and the executive in charge of devising edicts
Ibrahim Hosen, the MUI said the lottery would foster fraudulent
practices and cause financial losses to the public.
Wismoyo defended the proposal and said the religious body
might have received misleading information about its intent.
"We have never thought of causing the nation to live in
misery. I don't think the scheme is against Islamic principles."
The council introduced the new scheme in a bid to secure Rp
100 billion (US$7 million) annually from coupons sale. It badly
needs a new source of income after the SDSB lottery was banned in
1993.
Participants who purchase coupons costing Rp 5,000 would be
entitled to prize money up to Rp 100 million.
Wismoyo said the MUI and the consumers foundation could be
involved in the management of the new fund-raising program to
ensure its transparency.
Modifications
Separately yesterday, Minister of Social Services Justika S.
Baharsjah responded cautiously to the edict. While reiterating
her belief that the new scheme would not tempt people to gamble,
she suggested several modifications to the program.
"Everything is negotiable. Perhaps we could increase the prize
money and reduce the number of winners," Justika said after a
joint meeting with other ministers in charge of people's welfare
and poverty eradication.
She complained the public had negatively prejudged the scheme
even though it was still under study by a team she established
last month.
"I'm sure the new scheme is totally different from the now
defunct SDSB. The new one works the same way as someone who sells
his or her products by offering prizes to attract buyers."
Justika suggested organizers should increase the coupon price
because a relatively cheap rate would encourage people to
purchase tickets merely for the prizes instead of the main aim of
fostering sports development.
Under the proposal, the coupons can serve as tickets to attend
a sports game within a year, except for final and semifinal
matches.
Justika promised to thoroughly study the plan before issuing a
decree of approval.
Unlike Justika, State Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs
Agung Laksono urged the sports council to abide by the religious
council's edict.
"The edict suggests that the sports council find a means other
than coupon selling. I'm afraid that if the sports council
insists on going ahead with its plan, it will only provoke more
acrimonious popular opposition," he said. (yan)