Extension of SEA Games stickers

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