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)