Oky, Helmy to compete for IMI top post
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Oky Harwanto, the Indonesian Motorsports Association (IMI) Jakarta chapter chairman, and Helmy Sungkar, a motor racing promoter, will run in the election for the organization's top post for the 1999-2003 term in the 4th national congress.
Oky, who is also the treasurer of the Indonesian Automotive Foundation (YOI), said he was ready to replace current chairman Bob R.E. Nasution as chairman of IMI but he refused to reveal his programs should he elected.
"Certainly I will continue the work programs set in this congress," he said, adding that he was not obliged to quit YOI and concentrate on IMI.
Minister of Transportation, Agum Gumelar, opened the two-day congress at the Melia Purosani Hotel Friday. Chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI) Wismoyo Arismunandar was among the guests at the opening ceremony.
Agum, chairman of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) who turned down an offer to be a candidate for the IMI chairmanship, said he could not throw his weight behind either of the candidates.
"It's not important who will win the election as long as the process takes place in a democratic way," he said.
The three-star general expressed hope that the new chairman would lead the association into the new millennium when free competition would be introduced in Indonesia.
"IMI must be ready to cooperate with other institutions, particularly the privately-owned ones, and should not put its hope on government support," he said.
Bob said in his accountability speech that signs of economic recovery, already apparent during the new government's short reign, would bring profit to the association.
He said that there were many national events which were put off during his term in office due to financial shortages.
IMI and YOI have jointly groomed seven talented racers for top events, including Ananda Mikola (Formula 3000), Bagus Hermanto (Audi Palmer Formula), Ahmad Jayadi (Motor racing), Irwan Ardyansah (Motorcross), Harry Dharma and Fino Saksono (Asian Formula). (44)