Games consortium expects Rp 3b from PLN, Telkom

JAKARTA (JP): The 19th SEA Games consortium is expecting to receive Rp 3 billion (US$1.15 million) from sticker sales from state-owned PLN and PT Telkom.

The consortium's business and promotion deputy, Enggartiasto Lukita, announced yesterday that PLN was expected to hand over Rp 1.1 billion and PT Telkom Rp 1.9 billion. The money has been collected since March.

"We went to PLN and PT Telkom and they promised to give the money as soon as possible. It's a matter of administration red tape before transferring the money," he said.

So far, the consortium has collected Rp 3.7 billion from 17,750,000 stickers, which cost between Rp 1,000 and Rp 50,000 each. The amount is far short of the Rp 35 billion target.

Enggartiasto said the consortium, PT Angkasapura, had yet to contribute money.

The consortium is also expecting more companies to sponsor the Rp 105 billion biennial event, which will be staged from Oct. 11 to Oct. 19.

PT Satelindo, an official sponsor of the SEA Games, yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with the consortium and the National Sports Council to donate $1.5 million cash and $200,000 worth of equipment and services.

Last month, official sponsor National Panasonic paid a $600,000 down payment and official supplier Nikon also handed over $100,000.

Enggartiasto expressed hopes that more local companies would sponsor the event. The consortium expects to raise Rp 20 billion from sponsorships.

"Up to now, we have signed contracts worth Rp 12 billion with sponsors but we have not received all the money," he said.

PT Pos Indonesia, Tiger Beer and Aqua are expected to sign memorandums of understanding soon while Motorola and Teh Botol are still negotiating with the consortium.

Luxurious cars

Enggartiasto named Bimantara as the official car for the Games but declined to say if the consortium would import luxurious cars for VIPs and VVIPs.

He said as soon as the money was received, the consortium would use it to support national athletes' training.

Training is facing financial problems because funds from the consortium has yet to be received. The consortium has pledged Rp 35 billion.

National training director Djoko Pramono declined to name the sports which may suffer from lack of funding.

"I believe the consortium and I can work it out together," he said.

The consortium has spent Rp 24 billion on training and preparation. It also spent Rp 6 billion on guaranteeing imported sports equipment.

Enggartiasto declined to mention which banks were expected to lend the consortium Rp 50 billion to stage the event.

"Technically, it's not easy to get bank loans," he said. Meanwhile Joko S. Tjandra of Mulia Group, which is constructing the athletes village, expressed optimism that the village would be ready on time.

"We plan to stage a trial operation on Sept. 2. We'll check the electricity, computers, kitchen and other equipment," he said.

The village, which will later become the Mulia Hotel after the Games, will employ 3,200 persons.

Joko said the village apartment building, located on a four- hectare lot next to the Senayan shooting range, had 27th floors completed and employed 7,000 workers.

"There are only 13 more stories to complete. It can be finished on time," he said. (yan)