'Detak' apologizes for report: Wismoyo

'Detak' apologizes for report: Wismoyo

JAKARTA (JP): National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo
Arismunandar announced on Wednesday representatives of Detak
tabloid met with him to apologize for its report alleging his
involvement in the Bank Bali scandal.

"Detak formally apologized to me today (Wednesday)," he said
during a ceremony to install new officials of the Soccer
Association of Indonesia (PSSI). However, he refused to provide
details of the meeting.

Wismoyo emphasized in his speech that he never received funds
from any persons allegedly involved in the scandal.

"I have never been involved in any scandal. I'm not even aware
of the existence of PT Gelora Raya Dana Abadi. I have never
received financial support (from anyone allegedly connected with
the scandal). I'm not a coward. If I knew about it, I would admit
it," he said.

Wismoyo was linked to PT Gelora Raya Dana Abadi in the
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) audit of the transactions relating
to the scandal. PT Gelora reportedly is owned by Soeharto's
daughter Titiek Prabowo and Wismoyo. The company allegedly
received about Rp 100 billion from Arung Gauk Jerre, an associate
of the former state minister of the empowerment of state
enterprises Tanri Abeng, who also is the chairman of the
Indonesian Tennis Association.

PSSI chairman Agum Gumelar threw his weight behind Wismoyo,
saying he believed the retired four-star general was innocent.

"I know Pak Wismoyo because he was my commander (in the Army's
Special Force). I'm very upset to hear this news. I keep asking
myself whether Pak Wismoyo would do such a thing. As far as I
know, he is not that kind of person," said Agum, who also is
minister of transportation.

KONI vice chairman Arie Sudewo said earlier on Wednesday the
council still trusted Wismoyo and treasurer Setya Novanto, who
also is alleged to be involved in the scandal.

"We will stick to the presumption of innocence for both
officials until it is proven otherwise. In the meantime, we won't
take any action," he said.

Setya Novanto, Golkar's deputy treasurer, was named a suspect
in the scandal, which centers on the transfer of Rp 546 billion
(around US$80.3 million) from Bank Bali to PT Era Giat Prima
(EGP), a company controlled by Setya and Mulia Group head Djoko
S. Tjandra.

The fee was paid for EGP's services in helping the bank recoup
some $120 million in interbank loans on closed banks, which were
guaranteed by the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency.

KONI is setting up a legal team to find if there is any
evidence linking Wismoyo to the scandal. The team, comprising
KONI's legal, media and promotional commissions, is chaired by
Arie.

"The legal commission has started to work on it but up to now
I haven't received any progress reports on their investigation,"
Arie said. "Pak Wismoyo has denied his involvement with PT Gelora
and we, the officials, trust him."

Arie also said Novanto would keep his post as KONI's treasurer
despite being named a suspect.

"Pak Novanto has yet to be declared guilty and we found out
that he is still able to perform his duties. Besides, he also has
his deputy ECW Neloe who could replace him," he said.

Separately, KONI official in charge of planning and budgeting
Togi Hutagaol said the council provided a Rp 800 million budget
to finance preparations for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

"The money was taken from some divisions' budgets because we
have yet to receive money from state enterprises," he said.

KONI drew up a budget of Rp 6.9 billion to organize a
centralized training center, send athletes abroad for training
and send athletes to the Olympics.

Togi said Wismoyo, as vice chairman of the Gelora Senayan
Management Board (BPGS), promised BPGS would financially support
KONI.

"KONI is trying to lobby BPGS to help us, but I can't predict
the amount of money," he said.

State enterprises promised to provide KONI with Rp 7 billion.
About Rp 3.5 billion of this amount was used to send athletes to
the 20th Southeast Asian Games in Brunei Darussalam in August and
provide insurance and cash bonuses for Games medalists.

Togi said KONI had yet to receive the other Rp 3.5 billion.

"We will receive the rest when the state enterprises have
audited our financial report," he said. The state enterprises
planned to perform the audit on Monday, but its auditors did not
arrive until Wednesday. (ivy/yan)