President to decide on who should manage Senayan

JAKARTA (JP): The chairman of an organization involved in managing Gelora Senayan sports complex said on Tuesday President Abdurrahman Wahid would select the best institution to oversee its extensive facilities.

Chairman of the Executive Directors of Gelora Senayan (DPGS) Yasidi Hambali was responding to the Jakarta administration's suggestion to put all government-supervised properties in the capital under its management, including the complex's 279 hectares which is under the control of Gelora Senayan Management Board (BPGS), to increase city revenues.

The suggestion received a thumbs-down from State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mahadi Sinambela, who is also BPGS vice chairman, who said the complex was designated as state property and thus must be managed by the government.

Yasidi reiterated that BPGS was set up under Presidential Decree No. IV/1984.

"The President will decide who should manage the complex. His decision will be supported by additional regulations on the laws on regional autonomy," he said after meeting with Mahadi, BPGS chairman and state secretary Ali Rahman and secretary-general of the National Sports Council (KONI) Rudolf S. Warouw.

Yasidi was referring to the new Regional Autonomy Law No. 22/1999 and Intergovernmental Fiscal Balance Law No. 25/1999. The laws, which were passed by the House of Representatives last year, define a greater role and authority for provincial administrations.

Ali said he could not decide by himself on the plan to take over the management from BPGS. "I can't decide it. What's my authority?" he retorted.

Ali also said he never received notification from Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso or read the city authority's proposal on taking over the complex's management.

"I have never read any proposals from Pak Sutiyoso, but I'm not against his idea. Every citizen has the freedom to express his or her ideas."

Ali said he learned about Sutiyoso's recommendation from newspaper reports. "I also know from you, reporters, that he is so anxious to fulfill the plan."

Mahadi said on Tuesday that he was skeptical that the city administration could manage Gelora Senayan, which comprises of his office, the sports complex itself, the Ministry of Forestry, the House of Representatives and the headquarters of the state- owned TV network TVRI.

"The government has paid for the accommodation of participants if there are national sports events and sports venue leasing fees. If the city authority takes over the management, will it pay for Irian Jaya's contingent? I don't think it will. So it's not right to hand over the management to it," he said. (ivy)