House denies approval of Damura
JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives' Commission VI on Religion and Human Resources, chairman Ma'ruf Amin, denied on Wednesday that the House has given its approval for the distribution and sale of coupons, called Damura (the People's Fund for Sports).
"The reports have turned the facts upside down. The commission has not approved the matter. If there is a letter, it should have been signed by the commission chairman," he said.
"If KONI claims to have such a letter then it must be faked because issuance of such a letter would be against House procedure," he added.
The commission vice chairman, Sahrul Azmir Matondang, said during the meeting that he regretted the statement of KONI official in charge of media and promotion, Enny Hardjanto.
"We never accepted the letter from KONI requesting approval on Damura," he said.
Enny claimed on Tuesday that Damura organizers, PT Mutiara Mandala Mahardhika (3M), have received a recommendation letter from the commission.
She also said that Damura distribution would not need approval from the Indonesian Consumers Agency (YLKI) and the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI).
KONI signed a memorandum of understanding with PT 3M to distribute the coupons in April. Each coupon, consisting of two parts, will be sold for Rp 5,000 (70 US cents). The scratch-off coupon will have a prize ratio of 1:7 and the prize will range between Rp 5,000 and Rp 25 million.
The coupons will also be drawn to win scholarships and may be redeemed to get a life insurance claim of Rp 2.5 million.
KONI will receive 6.5 percent from coupon sales.
Enny insisted that she had received the letter.
"If the House members said that it was against House procedure, we have no idea on the matter. But we have the black and white evidence," she said.
Enny said she would not mind meeting members of the commission to explain about Damura distribution.
"Either KONI or PT 3M will submit a letter requesting a chance to meet the commission to explain but we have no idea when."
Earlier, vice secretary of KONI Bali chapter, H Izzuddin Don, said that the chapter would be against Damura distribution in the province.
"The percentage for sports development is too small. It will be useless. Bali will prefer not to allow the distribution as it won't meet the needs to develop sports and groom athletes," he said.
"The ideal percentage for sports development will be 35 percent of each coupon prize," he added.
Izzuddin said Bali has already raised funds to support the province contingent to compete in the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya in June.
The fund raising has been accomplished through airport tax of Rp 2,000 per person, the liquor profits of Rp 2.5 per bottle, the tuna fish revenue of Rp 1 per kilogram and contributions from business people.
The fund raising started in October and will end in June.
"I think we can fulfill our need of Rp 6 billion to prepare the 320 athletes, coaches and officials and provide their cash bonuses," Izzuddin said.
Syahbuddin Mustafa of KONI Central Sulawesi chapter suggested PT 3M give the provinces a larger percentage of the coupon sales.
"Ideally, sports development should get 25 percent. But if we can only get 6.5 percent, it should be given only to KONI. Each province must also get funds by cutting the profit from coupon sales in the area," he said.
Later Wednesday, KONI handed over the "athletes of the century awards" to shuttlers Rudy Hartono, Susy Susanti, Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky, bridge players Eddy Manoppo and Henky Lasut and pencak silat fighter Abas Akbar. (ivy/yan)