PLN, Telkom and Garuda are allowed to sell Game stickers
JAKARTA (JP): The government has decided that from now on only three state-owned companies will be allowed to sell fund-raising stickers for the 19th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
The state-owned companies are electricity company PLN, telephone company Telkom and the national carrier PT Garuda Indonesia Airways.
The state minister of youth affairs and sports, Hayono Isman, said yesterday that fewer channels for sticker sales would make the SEA Games consortium's work easier.
The consortium, which has been criticized over its handling of sticker sales, has been instructed by President Soeharto to direct the sale of stickers itself, and not to continue using the services of PT Angkasa Rona Graha (ARG).
In three months ARG raised only Rp 3.7 billion (US$1.54 million). The target was Rp 35 billion from 17,750,000 stickers, which cost between Rp 1,000 and Rp 50,000.
Hayono said yesterday the consortium has assured him it would restrict sticker sales to outlets controlled by the three companies.
Previously, the stickers were sold by state-owned water company PAM, hotels, restaurants, and to people applying for and extending their driver's licenses.
He was speaking after meeting National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, consortium chairman Bambang Trihatmodjo, the consortium's deputy for business and promotion, Enggartiasto Lukita, and the consortium's deputy for facilities, Bambang Yoga Soegama.
Bambang Trihatmodjo said the consortium would set up a fund raising team.
ARG has contributed Rp 11.5 billion to the consortium from its own pocket.
The consortium has so far spent Rp 22 billion on national training and the organizational costs. Enggartiasto said earlier that Bambang Trihatmodjo provided the money himself.
Bambang said the consortium was still committed to financing the Rp 105 billion biennial event.
"We'll still provide the funds, but we will have to get a loan from the bank," he said.
Enggartiasto said that without ARG, the consortium would have to come up with a better plan for selling stickers.
The Ministry of Social Services has not yet extended the consortium's permit to sell the stickers. Its permit expired June 11.
Investigation
The consortium and the council expect to a ministerial decree allowing it to raise more money to be issued soon.
Hayono said the minister's office and the council were investigating ARG's mismanagement.
"We'll see how far ARG can improve its management," he said.
ARG had to submit a report Monday but this was delayed because of incomplete data.
"If it's necessary to investigate ARG, I'll be pleased because I also want to know where the mismanagement is," Bambang said.
Bambang said ARG would have to write off the Rp 11.5 billion it has contributed to the consortium as it would no longer sell the stickers.
"We have yet to discuss it but I think ARG will not mind helping the country host the SEA Games by donating its money," he said.
He said besides selling stickers the consortium did not yet know how else to raise money.
Enggartiasto said the consortium would never include ticket sales in its budget.
"We want the public to come to the stadium and enjoy the matches. Besides, it's on a school holiday," he said.
But the consortium and the organizers will have to focus on favorite sports like soccer, badminton and volleyball.
The stickers can be used as tickets but the consortium still has to work out how to do it. (yan)