New minister sets goal on sports prestige

JAKARTA (JP): Newly appointed State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Agung Laksono, has promised to work hard and be open in his quest to improve the country's sports achievements nationally and internationally.

"I promise to work hard and not to give trouble to Bapak President," Agung said in his first statement after the announcement of the new cabinet lineup yesterday.

The legislator and president director of privately owned TV station ANteve said he would ask for input from the outgoing minister, Hayono Isman, and the National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar.

Agung, a graduate of the School of Medicine of the University of Indonesia, will resign from his positions in ANteve, other companies and the House.

He said his tasks as minister were complex as they did not involve sports alone.

"I won't be able to work alone. I'll need help and support from everybody, including the media," he said.

"After getting a full picture of the minister's duty (from Hayono and Wismoyo), I will work soon to arrange my works."

Agung said his desire to boost the national sports movement, which was inaugurated by President Soeharto in 1983, included increasing sports achievements nationally, regionally and internationally.

"I've got descriptions of Indonesia's arch rivals in Southeast Asia, Asia and the world, specially in our dominant sports. The hard work I need to do is for the Asian Games this December," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Agung said President Soeharto informed him of his appointment in a telephone conversation lasting less than five minutes last Sunday.

"Bapak asked me if I wanted to and was ready to assist him. I said 'I'm ready and Insya Allah (With God's blessing) I can assist Bapak', and I prayed to God asking for strength."

The minister, who will celebrate his 49th birthday on March 23, also promised to be open with critics, including the media.

Meanwhile, the council's secretary-general, Rudolf Warouw, and vice chairman Arie Sudewo said communication and coordination between the minister and the council officials must be improved.

"Communication is a basic factor to create togetherness. I hope the new minister will be able to do that," Warouw said.

Arie said: "Everybody must be open in creating good communication, among other things."

Warouw said council officials were pleased by Agung's proposal to meet with them following his formal installation as minister tomorrow. (yan)