DPR, KONI need outsiders to investigate SEAG case

DPR, KONI need outsiders to investigate SEAG case

JAKARTA (JP): It has been almost four years since the National
Sports Council (KONI) held the 1997 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games,
but questions about a fund-raising program for the event remain.

The House of Representatives (DPR) is seeking outside help to
continue the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of Rp 9
billion (US$900,000) raised through the sale of stickers.

"It will depend on the House members' desire to investigate
the alleged embezzlement, especially those from Commission VI for
human resources and religion affairs," House member Ismangoen
Notosapoetro told The Jakarta Post in a telephone interview.

"The amount is relatively small and contains little or no
political value. But still it is a case that involves the abuse
of the public's trust."

Ismangoen called on individuals or institutions who had
detailed information of the matter to bring it forward to the
House.

"I believe institutions like the Indonesian Corruption Watch
have vital information about the case, and therefore I urge these
bodies to give the information to House members."

KONI cooperated with a consortium of entrepreneurs led by
former president Soeharto's son Bambang Trihatmodjo to raise
money for the Rp 156.6 billion Games.

The Games stickers were sold at numerous companies and
businesses providing public services, including telephone
companies, water firms, airlines and hotels.

The public was extremely critical of the program from the
start because the purchase of the stickers was compulsory.

The consortium was plagued with problems and was eventually
saddled with huge debts it could not repay.

Records show the consortium owes some Rp 11 billion to the
then Gelora Senayan Management Board, the Jatiluhur water
reservoir authorities and hotels which provided accommodation for
participating athletes.

It also used Rp 35 billion of reforestation funds meant for
the Ministry of Forestry.

In its audited report, the consortium claimed Rp 68 billion in
financial losses. It borrowed Rp 23 billion from Bank Artha Graha
to ease the deficit.

Former state minister for sports and youth affairs Hayono
Isman said the sticker program was never approved by the now
defunct state minister's office.

"Any information regarding the sticker program can be obtained
from the State Secretariat since the state minister's office has
been dissolved," Hayono said as quoted by Kompas last Saturday.

Ismangoen said the money in dispute was not a great amount for
the entrepreneurs in the consortium.

"It is only Rp 9 billion and I think they could just pay it
back together. I don't think it would be too much of a burden for
a person like Bambang," he said.

"But it depends on their conscience if they will do their part
to contribute to the nation."

Separately, KONI vice chairman Arie Sudewo told the Post the
council had no problems with the consortium.

"Our job was only to prepare for the technical aspects of the
Games as a part of the organizing committee. KONI was not
involved in the fund raising or any other financial matters," he
said.

"It was a cooperation between KONI, which had the task of
organizing the Games, and the consortium, which had the task of
getting the necessary capital."

Arie said KONI was grateful to the consortium for providing
the money needed to stage the Games.

"Thanks to the consortium's efforts, KONI was able to stage a
successful Games. The Games could have been canceled without the
consortium's money," he said.

"However, we learned that we need a public accountant for any
future cooperation with the private sector in order to ensure
transparency."

Arie also admitted the consortium had yet to fulfill its
financial responsibilities to KONI in the form of insurance
premiums.

KONI presented Games medalists with insurance policies as a
show of its appreciation. (nvn)