Hayono says sports ministry not effective

JAKARTA (JP): Former state minister of sport and youth affairs Hayono Isman has said the office he once led could be dissolved to save state funds.

Hayono said over the weekend that due to the prolonged economic crisis it was unlikely the ministry could undertake its planned programs.

"If necessary, the ministry could be liquidated for practical reasons. What can we hope from a ministry which is unable to execute its programs," he said.

He suggested that the government return the office to the Ministry of Education and Culture as a directorate. The government introduced the ministry of sports and youth affairs in 1982.

"I'm just aware of the difficulties faced by the present minister (Agung Laksono) in his assignment to encourage national sports development in such financial turmoil," Hayono said.

Agung admitted Sunday the allocated state budget for sports development was too small. He complained that he also could not be expected to raise funds for sports development from other sources.

"Sports funding should come from both the government and the community, but we've all learned that at present that ideal is somewhat unrealistic," he said.

Hayono estimated his former office needed about Rp 250 billion (US$16.7 million) per year but Agung put the figure at Rp 100 billion.

The government has allocated a maximum of Rp 30 billion from this year's state budget, which has already been revised twice, according to Agung.

He also reignited over the weekend the controversy he sparked earlier this month by supporting an idea to raise sports funds from a gambling center built on a designated island and controlled and run by the government.

The idea gained support, including from former National Sports Council secretary-general Kahpi Suriadiredja, who said a legal gambling center would stop the mushrooming of illicit gambling dens and raise revenue from Indonesian gamblers who at present spent their money on cruise ships or in casinos abroad.

"Basically, I can understand and agree if a gambling center is built in an isolated area, like the one in Malaysia's Genting Highlands. We can use the revenue to help the government finance national sports development," Agung said.

He reiterated however that such an idea should be endorsed by both the government and society.

"Only after both the government and society say OK can we start discussing it together because we need a transparent and professional management," he said. (emf)