PASI insists Bob Hasan remains chairman

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)