PASI insists Bob Hasan remains chairman
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Athletics Association (PASI) turned down pressure from Indonesia's sports world to stage a special congress to replace chairman Muhammad 'Bob' Hasan, who was sent to notorious Nusakambangan prison late last month.
PASI official in charge of organization and provincial chapters, Kunarto, told a media conference on Monday that PASI would not appoint a caretaker to take over Hasan's tasks as the latter's commitment remained, to develop track and field events in the country.
"Pak Hasan is the legitimate chairman, whatever his condition, because the association's statutes do not mention any legal status as requirement for a chairman.
"He has also asserted that his commitment to manage PASI is unmoved, whether in happiness or sorrow."
Kunarto also said that the replacement of chairman should take place in a special congress that must be requested by at least 17 provincial chapters. Another rule states that a new chairman would be elected if the former one withdrew his post.
"As of today, none of the provincial chapters have ever asked for a special congress. Moreover, Pak Hasan has never thought of quitting the association."
He also hoped that people would no longer carry on the debate over Hasan's top job at PASI.
"Let's leave it to the chapters to judge his working performance," said the former national police chief.
Besides PASI, Bob Hasan also chairs the Indonesian Gymnastics Association (Persani).
Hasan, 70, a golf partner of former president Soeharto, was sent on March 27 to the tightly-guarded Batu Nusakambangan penitentiary, which is mainly inhabited by criminals convicted of murder, robbery and drug offenses.
Hasan held the post of minister of industry and trade for about two months before Soeharto resigned in 1998 and the Cabinet was dissolved.
Early in February, the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced Hasan to two years in jail after he was found guilty of misusing US$75 million in funds belonging to the Ministry of Forestry. He was also ordered to pay a Rp 15 million (US$1,400) fine and return Rp 14.1 billion to the state.
The Jakarta High Court later tripled the jail term after it found that the state suffered losses of $243 million and ordered the convict to repay it.
Kunarto said during Hasan's term in Cipinang, he was still strong enough to give advice in his capacity as PASI chairman or head of any national and regional event such as Asian Track and Field Championships, the Asian Amateur Athletic Association (AAAA) and the Jawa-Bali circuit.
"PASI has established a clear mechanism and specific job description. This mechanism allows the association to continue with its daily tasks without the presence of the chairman.
"All officials here understood what he or she should do and how to solve the problem because PASI's working program, either for four years or a one-year term, have very descriptive guidelines. All can be completed on schedule and on target."
Kunarto also brushed away allegations that Hasan's current status had discouraged athletes.
"There is no direct relevance between an athlete's achievement and Pak Hasan's legal status. Based on quantity, our gold achievement at the 1999 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is declining. But judging from the quality, Indonesia is the only gold medalist from Southeast Asian nations competing in the 1998 Asian Games."
Kunarto said PASI could not promise anything except to continue to work hard.
"Only society and the National Sports Council can judge our works. One thing should be kept in mind, that as long as the government does not provide enough attention to sports development, don't expect world class achievements," he said. (ivy)