Luhut and Tando strong candidates for FORKI head
JAKARTA (JP): Luhut Panjaitan and Efdjuno Tando are neck-to- neck in the race for the top post in the Indonesian Karate Federation (Forki) to replace Wiranto for the 2001 to 2005 tenure.
"Pak Luhut's presence in the opening ceremony shows that he is willing to lead Forki for the next term," Inkai karate school's deputy master Albert Lumban Tobing said on the sidelines of Forki's national congress on Saturday.
"Inkai throws its weight behind Pak Luhut because he has a significant karate background as he is also chairman of Inkai's West Java chapter."
Luhut, who is the minister of industry and trade, has denied rumors claiming that he was willing to replace Wiranto.
"It's not true," he said, while refusing further questions concerning his prospects of chairing Forki.
Lemkari karate school founder, Anton Lesiangi, said it would be better if the next chairman came from karate circles and had considerable achievements in the sport.
"I think Efdjuno Tando is suitable to replace Wiranto because he chaired Inkado karate school for almost two decades."
"More importantly, he successfully organized the World Championships in Bali in April 2000, showing that he has the capability to finance such a big event."
Inkado's new chairman, Yorris Raweyai, also said it would be better if the next chairman had a karate background and strong vision to boost the development of the martial art in the country.
"Forki can't continue to rely on a certain figure who happens to be a state official. We have to find someone with a high level of independence.
"If we really need to choose a state official, he or she must have a strong karate background to fully understand the nature of the martial art."
National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar hinted at the congress that he would prefer to have Luhut as the next chairman.
In a prepared statement, Wismoyo said he expected Forki to keep up its good work as one of Indonesia's gold winners in multisports events.
During Wiranto's tenure, Indonesia scooped 14 of 19 gold medals in the Jakarta 1997 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and seven of 19 golds at the 1999 Brunei Darussalam Games.
Forki also claimed one gold, two silvers and three bronzes at the Bangkok 1998 Asian Games, earning it a reputation for being a major gold contributor to the country.
The first day of the congress focused on Wiranto's accountability reports during his 1997 to 2001 tenure.
The chairman election will take place on Sunday.
Wiranto declined to run again for the post, saying he preferred to concentrate on his position as chairman of the Indonesian Contract Bridge Association (GABSI). (nvn)