Government may reject Damura if it boosts gambling
Government may reject Damura if it boosts gambling
JAKARTA (JP): Fund-raising program Damura (the People's Fund
for Sports) should not be launched if it encourages gambling,
said State Minister of Social Affairs Anak Agung Gde Agung on
Thursday.
"We'll look at the positive and negative aspects (of the
program) before deciding if we can go on. We also have to discuss
the program with the House of Representatives," he was quoted by
Antara as saying.
Agung said he would meet with representatives of the National
Sports Council (KONI), the Office of the State Minister of Youth
Affairs and Sports, PT Mutiara Mandala Mahardhika (3M), the
Indonesian Ulemas Council and the Indonesian Consumers Agency
next week.
"We realize that sports need funding but it must not break the
rules of society," he said.
Separately, KONI secretary-general Rudolf S. Warouw said on
Thursday the council and PT 3M would hold discussions on Friday
prior to a hearing with House of Representatives Commission VI
for religion and human resources on March 14.
"Reports in newspapers and on television really help us to
evaluate and improve the program. We will reconsider the right
method of controlling distribution and providing transparent
financial reports.
"All input will be discussed here and we will also meet with
the Indonesian Ulemas Council before the hearing with the House,"
he said.
Warouw said numerous people had criticized the small
percentage of revenue from Damura which would go toward sports
development in the country.
"The 6.5 percent of revenue KONI will receive from Damura has
been considered too small for sports development. However, that
figure is counted from gross revenue. If we count it from PT 3M's
profit, they will give us 54 percent of total profit," he said.
Indonesian Taekwondo Association secretary-general Ahmad
Zarkasih Hamid said the 6.5 percent of Damura revenue was
meaningless.
"When we sold SDSB lottery tickets, each year sports
organizations could afford to stage national championships in the
country and send athletes overseas," he said. "Approximately,
each organization received Rp 500 million (US$67,570) each year."
Zarkasih suggested PT 3M make changes so the percentage of
prize money would not eclipse the percentage of money going to
sports development.
"If they say the prize money will be 50 percent of total
revenue while KONI is only receiving 6.5 percent, then PT 3M must
change it. The contribution toward sports must be larger than the
prize money. They can also give away items as prizes instead of
money," he said.
The Damura program has been the focus of controversy since
KONI announced the program in April. Each ticket will be sold for
Rp 5,000 (70 U.S. cents). People who purchase the tickets have
the opportunity to win between Rp 5,000 and Rp 25 million in
prize money. The tickets also give people the chance to receive
life insurance for one month, and customers can also use the
tickets for an opportunity to win scholarships.
KONI desperately needs funds for sports development, which
costs approximately Rp 100 billion each year.
In Padang, the West Sumatra council voiced opposition to
Damura, saying it could encourage people to gamble.
"What does KONI want, to promote sports or gambling," asked
Masfar Rasyid, the council's deputy chairman.
In Surabaya, an official from the East Java chapter of
Nahdlatul Ulama, Salam Nawawi, said Damura could encourage
gambling because it promised prize money.
"It's exactly the same as the now-banned lottery from the late
1980s and early 1990s. If people want to donate their money for
sports development, let them do that. Don't promise them any
prizes," he said. (28/yan)