Luhut throws down gauntlet in race for KONI post
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, a former minister of trade and industry, has thrown down the gauntlet to his rivals in the race for the chairmanship of the National Sports Council by suggesting a public debate.
"I hereby challenge them to stand before the public and debate the issues. If any of them want to exchange views on how to develop the nation's sports, I'm ready for it," Luhut said on Thursday during his first formal appearance before the media since he announced his candidacy a month ago.
Luhut is one of seven candidates who have declared their intentions of running in the election, which is scheduled to take place during a three-day congress here beginning on Feb. 25.
The other six are Arie Sudewo, Agum Gumelar, Sutiyoso, Iskandar Zulkarnain, Andi Gani Nena and Oesman Sapta.
Of all the candidates, Luhut, a retired 55-year-old Army general and one of the three most serious contenders, was the first to make his policies public since the campaign began.
"I'm ready for a three-way debate. I will ask the others what they will do to improve the nation's sports," Luhut said. Although he did mentione any names, he was clearly referring to Arie and Agum, both also retired Army generals.
Arie is the deputy to current chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, while Agum heads the national soccer association PSSI in addition to being transportation minister.
Luhut, who is the chairman of the karate-do body, Forki, tried to convince the national sports community that he should be the right person for the KONI post.
"I have the capabilities, the connections and the time to take charge of KONI. I'll make myself available full-time for the job," said the former Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore.
Nevertheless, he pledged his loyalty to whoever was elected should his bid fail. "I'll respect and support whoever is the leader. I will remain in my position as one who is interested in the development of sport, especially karate," he said.
He also claimed he would be accountable, saying: "Should I be elected chairman and I don't do my job well over the first two years, I'll definitely resign and say good-bye".
Luhut said he had received the support of 13 institutional backers composed of sports organizations and KONI provincial chapters, which meant he had satisfied the requirement of having to be supported by at least 10 backers to run for election.
Separately, Oyong Karmayuda, the chairman of the seven-strong screening team, said that only Luhut, Arie, Agum and Sutiyoso had already secured the required minimum number of backers.
However, according to Oyong, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso, also a retired Army general, had yet to obtain a letter of approval from President Megawati, which was imperative for candidates drawn from the bureaucracy or legislature.
Agum submitted his letter of approval from the president on Wednesday. However, Oesman Santa, a member of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), still has not been issued with the required presidential approval.
"Today is the last day that our team will be working, and we will submit all seven names to the congress, which will then decide who is eligible," Oyong said.