Hayono says sports ministry not effective
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)