Karsono defies Jakarta PBSI decision over his dismissal
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Jakarta chapter of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has dismissed its chief, Karsono, for failing to support the organization's candidate for the top post at PBSI.
The dismissal took place at an extraordinary congress on Friday last week. The chapter named its secretary Leo Chandra Wiranata as the caretaker chairman until the next congress in 2002.
However, Karsono challenged the decision on Monday, citing procedural flaws.
"I am still the legitimate chairman of PBSI's Jakarta chapter because I was installed through a decree issued by the PBSI central board of executives. I will hold the position until the board revokes the decree," Karsono said in a statement made available to reporters on Monday.
"The extraordinary congress was illegal because it failed to comply with PBSI regulations. I was not notified about it either."
Karsono said he would file a lawsuit against chapter officials for organizing the extraordinary congress.
Jakarta has nominated Justian Suhandinata as the new PBSI chairman, replacing Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo who had announced his refusal to run for a second term.
The election will take place at the PBSI national congress, which will be held from Nov. 2 until Nov. 4 at Hotel Indonesia, Central Jakarta.
In their statement, senior officials from the Jakarta chapter said they had fired Karsono for his refusal to use his influence as PBSI executive director to boost Jakarta's campaign for Justian.
During a meeting held on Oct. 7, which confirmed Justian's nomination, officials from the Jakarta chapter ordered Karsono to seek support from other chapters.
Karsono had said he preferred a neutral stance because as the PBSI executive director he should not act in favor of any candidate.
To show his impartiality, Karsono attended a meeting on Oct. 12 held by several chapters, which nominated businessman Chairul Tanjung for the PBSI chairmanship.
"I attended the meeting in my capacity as the executive director of PBSI. The chapters had invited the PBSI's board of executives, so I was there," Karsono said, when asked about his attendance.
Chairul was nominated by 13 chapters, among others, West Java and East Java.
His presence at the meetings to confirm Chairul's nomination prompted the Jakarta chapter to hold its extraordinary congress last Friday.
Leo said the Jakarta chapter needed a chief who would be able to articulate its interests.
"The dismissal has not been made for personal reasons because I have been a good friend of Pak Karsono for more than 16 years," Leo told reporters.
"The problem is we need a chairman who can speak for the chapter. If Pak Karsono can't, we need to find somebody else who can."
Meanwhile in Semarang, PBSI's Central Java chapter is considering naming an alternative candidate for the PBSI's top position.
"Central Java chapter will only name its candidate at the national congress next month. But we will closely monitor any alternative candidate," chapter chairman Soenjoto was quoted as saying by Antara news agency.
"Our chapter also urges all badminton officials nationwide to keep united before, during and after the national congress as we face tough challenges ahead."