Luhut throws down gauntlet in race for KONI post

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.