Extension of SEA Games stickers
From Media Indonesia
The executive board of the Indonesian Consumers Institute Foundation (YLKI) has opted to come out against the proposed extension of the sales of SEA Games stickers. In short, YLKI does not agree with the request made by the consortium and the organizing committee of the SEA Games to the government that fundraising through the sale of SEA Games stickers be extended.
YLKI objects to this idea and rejects the proposal. This stance is based on a statement by the State Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs Hayono Isman in which he expressed his disagreement with the idea.
In addition, YLKI has not seen any transparent or audited reports on the use of funds raised from the community through the sale of SEA Games stickers.
How much has so far been collected by the consortium and the organizing committee? How much more is needed if the funds available are considered insufficient?
In fact the consortium and the organizing committee of the SEA Games have promised to be transparent about these money matters. YLKI wishes to remind the consortium of their promise to cover the financial deficiency in the organizing of SEA Games. Until now, it is not clear how much more money is still needed.
Besides, amidst the difficult economic situation now hitting the country as a result of rupiah depreciation against the U.S. dollar and the national disaster brought about by forest fires, it is somewhat unethical to incur extra expenses on people to pay for things that seem somewhat super-luxurious (such as the spectacular opening ceremony, luxury cars provided to participants and officials, and bonuses in the form of houses and automobiles to record-breakers and winners).
The consortium and the organizing committee should always bear in mind that consumers and broad sections of the community have from the very beginning launched protests against fundraising through the sale of SEA Games stickers and donations. It would be much wiser and considerate, therefore, if this regional sports event were held on a more modest scale. As facts speak for themselves, the reality is quite the opposite.
What is more distressful is that the organizing committee has seemingly so easily concluded that the community must continue to donate funds through an indefinite extension of the sales of SEA Games stickers.
Therefore, YLKI has strongly rejected the ways taken by the consortium and the organizing committee of the SEA Games in indefinitely extending the collection of SEA Games donations through the sales of SEA Games stickers. This rejection is based on an obvious reason that such an extension should not be resorted to as it will only be very burdensome to the community now being hit by a number of economic difficulties.
TINI HADAD
Chairperson of YLKI, Jakarta