Games sticker sales extension starts next month

JAKARTA (JP): A gubernatorial decree on SEA Games sticker sales will be extended next month after the consortium assured better management, a city official said yesterday.

Bambang Subekti, who is in charge of controlling sticker sales at city offices and agencies, said the decision was made after a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Social Services.

"The minister will issue the decree in the first week of July, while the governor will issue it the week after," Bambang said.

The gubernatorial decree on SEA Games stickers expired May 26, while the ministerial decree expired June 11.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja urged Jakartans last month to refuse to buy stickers for the Southeast Asian Games, because the decree authorizing sticker sales in the municipality had expired.

In response to public complaints, the consortium in charge of fund-raising for the Rp 105 billion event through sticker sales was instructed by President Soeharto earlier this week to manage sticker sales itself, and not to continue using the services of PT Angkasa Rona Graha.

The consortium is chaired by Bambang Trihatmodjo, President Soeharto's son.

City agencies formerly authorized by the gubernatorial decree to sell stickers were agencies of land transportation, development supervision, city planning, mining, public order, tourism and land.

Stickers were also sold by PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol, which is partially owned by the city, the Ministry of Industry city-branch office and the Trade and Indonesian Retail Business Association.

Bambang Subekti said the city will no longer sell stickers at the 12 offices and agencies.

"The number of offices and agencies selling stickers will be reduced," he said.

He did not identify how many offices would sell stickers after the governor issues his decree next month.

"Previously, people were complaining because of PT Angkasa Ronagraha's unclear management of sticker sales. Now we hope to have better supervision," Bambang said.

He said the city was still open to suggestions from the public on sticker sales.

"Before the gubernatorial decree (extending the sticker sales) we will first explain the matter to the public," Bambang said.

He assured the sales, as contributions to the Games, would be voluntary.

"Please report to us if anyone forces you to buy the stickers," Bambang said.

However, he urged the public to participate in financing the biennial event to be held here in October.

People had earlier complained about stickers being tacked on to mobile phone, telephone, water and electricity bills. Selected restaurants, hotels and toll road gates had also charged people for the stickers.

In three months, Angkasa Rona Graha raised only Rp 3.7 billion (US$1.54 million). The target was Rp 35 billion from 17,750,000 stickers, which cost between Rp 1,000 and Rp 50,000. (ste)