'Ministers too busy for sports groups'
'Ministers too busy for sports groups'
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman reiterated yesterday his idea not to let sports organizations give cabinet ministers top jobs any longer.
"Those who lead sports organizations should have 100 percent, or at least 80 percent of their time devoted to the development of their respective sports organizations," Hayono told reporters during a fast break at his residence yesterday.
Citing an example, Hayono said that Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas, was the only minister to attend the national congress held by the National Sports Council (KONI) last month. Azwar now chairs the All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI).
By saying this, Hayono illustrated that many ministers are too busy to devote their time to the interests of sports organizations they chair.
"I believe the ministers are so busy that they are able to allot only 30 percent of their time for sports," Hayono added.
He said two ministers, Sanjoto Sastrowardojo and Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, had complained that they felt very much forced to accept their top jobs in sports organizations.
Sanyoto is both Minister of Investment/Chairman of the Investment Planning Board (BKPM) and chairman of the Indonesian Swimming Federation. Minister of Environment Sarwono was elected chairman of the Indonesian Tennis Association.
Other VIPs include Minister of Information Harmoko who take the helm of the Indonesian Basketball Association, Minister of Mines and Energy IB Sudjana who chairs the Indonesian Squash Association, Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya who leads the Indonesian Equestrians Association and Minister of Public Housing Akbar Tandjung who chairs the Indonesian Chess Association.
In line with Hayono's statement, Ismail Hasan, chairman of the House Commission in charge of sports and education affairs, suggested the government to set up a ruling forbidding ministers to much involve themselves with sports organizations.
Hayono said his office plans to gradually get rid of ministers functioning as chairman of sports organization provided President Soeharto gives his consent.
Hayono said the frequent absence of ministers in their extra offices might give raise to conflicts and overlapping duties among their assistants.
Hayono hinted that retired officials from the Armed Forces or government might be eligible to replace the ministers. (arf)