Govt urged to decide on Damura fund

Govt urged to decide on Damura fund

JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Commission VI for human
resources and religious affairs member Ismangun Notosapoetro has
urged the government to decide if the fund raising scheme Damura
(the People's Fund for Sport) should be allowed to continue.

Ismangun said on Monday that in Tuesday's meeting -- which
will be attended by officials from the National Sports Council
(KONI), PT Mutiara Mandala Mahardhika (3M), the Indonesian
Consumers Agency (YLKI), the Indonesian Ullemas Council (MUI) and
State Minister of Social Affairs Anak Agung Gde Agung -- the
government must, at least, issue a recommendation on Damura.

"The government must issue a recommendation with reasons
tomorrow. If the government disapproves of Damura, it must also
cancel the ministerial permit issued last year," he said.

Ismangun said based on the legal jurisdiction, PT 3M could
launch Damura as it was approved by the now defunct ministry of
social services in September 1999.

"The program was approved by a legal government. If the
current government disagrees with the program, it must cancel the
permit," he said.

Ismangun said due to the ongoing controversy on Damura, KONI
must decide which sports were to be groomed by the council and
allow society itself to help develop other sports.

"In our society, sports are the fifth priority after law,
economics, morals and education. KONI must realize this and
decide which potential sports must be prioritized to be groomed
to achieve international achievements."

PT 3M hopes to sell 10 million Damura coupons, earning a
revenue estimated to reach Rp 50 billion (US$6.76 million), in
April. Each coupon will cost Rp 5,000 and will offer prize money
ranging from Rp 5,000 and Rp 25 million.

Fifty percent of the total revenues will be returned to the
public in prize money. Another 28 percent will be eaten up by
operational fees. The remaining 22 percent is to be divided
between KONI (6.5 percent), the tax man, and PT 3M's profit.

KONI board of advisers member Tanri Abeng said 75 percent of
the 22 percent of total revenues had to be distributed to sports
societies.

"The amount of the total percentage for KONI will reach 17.5
percent instead of 6.5 percent. If PT 3M could be more efficient
in its operational fees, KONI could get 30 percent of the total
revenues. That's our rough estimation and I think KONI will be
cheated again," said Tanri, who is also chairman of the
Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) and former state minister
for the empowerment of state enterprises.

Tanri urged PT 3M to be transparent in its financial reports,
especially on its revenues and expenses, to enable KONI's
internal auditor to check the company's profits.

"In principal, the largest portion of the profit must go to
KONI. We don't have to speak about whether Damura will encourage
gambling. As long as the biggest slice goes to KONI, we'll do
it," he said.

Ismangun shared the same idea. "I think the 6.5 percent is
still negotiable. It's a technical problem."

He also said the House would refer to the public's benefit.

"If most of the public agrees with Damura, we'll support it.
However, I think there's still another way to raise fund besides
Damura. All related parties must not stop discussing the problem,
maybe to improve it."

Tanri warned KONI not to be used as a tool for opportunists.

"Businesspeople must voluntarily help KONI by contributing
some of their profits. If Pak Wismoyo Arismunandar (KONI
chairman) wants to discuss the matter with me, I have plenty of
time." (ivy/yan)