House commission wants special hearing on Damura

House commission wants special hearing on Damura

JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives Commission VI for
human resources and religious affairs wants to hold a special
hearing soon on the fund raising program, Damura (the People's
Fund for Sports), with the National Sports Council (KONI) and
Damura operator PT Mutiara Mandala Mahardhika (3M), before
deciding if the program can proceed.

The commission's deputy chairman Paturungi Parawansa of the
Golkar Party faction said at the conclusion of a hearing with
KONI on Tuesday that another hearing was needed just to discuss
Damura, especially with its impact on the public.

"We realize that KONI has found it difficult to raise funds
for sports development. The commission supports KONI's efforts to
raise funds under three conditions. First, that it doesn't
encourage gambling. Second, that it sticks to regulations. And
third, that it won't be a bad influence on society," he said.

"The commission will evaluate if this program will have a
negative impact on society after Damura is launched."

Ferdiansyah, the commission's member of the Golkar Party
faction, said the commission could cooperate with members of
Commission VII for population and welfare to discuss the permit
issued by the then ministry of social services.

"The ministry (of social services) was dismissed and the
authority to issue the permit is with the state minister for
social affairs. We can give a recommendation to Commission VII,
which will pass it on to the minister," he said.

"If necessary, we can set up a coordination team comprising
members of commissions VI and VII to study Damura."

Ferdiansyah said it was not enough to launch Damura based on
an edict from the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) only.

"MUI studies the program from the religious side but what
about my accountability as a member of the House? How can I be
responsible to my voters if I remain silent on the matter," he
said.

"We need to study Damura together with non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) which are concerned with consumers and
religious organizations, including MUI, the Communion of Churches
in Indonesia (PGI) and others."

KONI official in charge of media and promotion Enny Hardjanto
said the council would not mind if there was another hearing on
Damura.

"The House only wants to have time for Damura to give an
explanation. They will decide the time. But KONI will not force
itself to launch Damura in April," she said. "Our toughest job is
to familiarize Damura and its details with the public until
everyone really understands it."

Enny insisted that PT 3M earned permits from the then ministry
of social services, a recommendation from Commission VI and an
edict from MUI.

KONI has planned to launch a Rp 5,000 (70 US cents) Damura
coupon to sell in April. Each coupon consists of two parts. The
first is a scratch and win, which offers a chance to win between
Rp 5,000 and Rp 25 million if the holder scratches three symbols
that match. The second part is a one-month life insurance policy
which the holder or his or her estate can claim Rp 2.5 million
should he or she suffer a permanent disability or dies.

State Minister of Social Affairs Anak Agung Gde Agung has
urged KONI and PT 3M to delay the launch until they can submit PT
3M's final report on the program, an edict is issued by Indonesia
Ulemas Council (MUI) on whether Damura encourages gambling and
the House of Representatives make a decision on the program.
(yan)