Irawadi resigns from KONI, says Agum

Musthofid The Jakarta Post Jakarta

Irawadi D. Hanafi, who has been accused of being the brains behind the illicit transfer of Rp 4 billion (US$500,000) from the National Sports Council (KONI) to the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI), has resigned as KONI's deputy treasurer, KONI chairman Agum Gumelar said on Friday.

However, Agum, who also chairs PSSI where Irawadi is the treasurer, had not been entirely forthcoming about the resignation until he was urged to reveal the truth.

"I have been told Irawadi is resigning ... he spoke to me about the resignation," Agum said.

When contacted later in the evening, Irawadi, who was called in on Wednesday for questioning by the internally established investigating team, refused to confirm Agum's statement.

"Who said that (I would resign)?...Then ask Pak Agum. I won't comment at this moment. I have spoken to the investigating team and we'd better wait for what they will announce," he said.

Irawadi and KONI secretary-general Oyong Karmayudha were the two officials, whose signatures had made possible the Rp 4 billion fund transfer from KONI's account in Bank BNI to PSSI's account in Bank Mandiri.

Irawadi, Oyong, and also Agum, who admitted he had not been informed about the transfer, had said that the move was encouraged by the intention to get a higher rate of interest at Bank Mandiri, which however has been denied by the bank's authorities.

On Friday, Agum also announced that the money had been transferred back to the BNI account. "It was sent back yesterday (Thursday)," he said.

While the investigating team is still conducting its probe, Irawadi's resignation could send a message about who should be blamed for the move.

"I have promised I won't comment myself before the investigating team finishes," stated Oyong, who had earlier said that the irregular transfer was "engineered" by Irawadi.

"I haven't even heard about that (Irawadi's resignation)," said Oyong, who had earlier in the day accompanied Agum during a meeting with officials from the Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association (PABBSI).

When asked about his prospects of being cleared from the case, Oyong said: "I don't know. Hopefully, I'm cleared. It's in the hands of the investigating team."

The investigating team, led by Cahyo Adi of KONI's legal affairs commission, had questioned 16 officials including Irawadi and Oyong. The team has been given a week to carry out its duty and is supposed to announce the result on Monday.