Proposals to PSSI

Proposals to PSSI

From Media Indonesia

I was astonished to read in Media Indonesia of Sept. 9 about
the appointment of Agum Gumelar as chairman of the All Indonesian
Soccer Federation (PSSI). How could an active, highly ranked
Armed Forces officer afford the time to bring order to the
chaotic state of PSSI? The Armed Forces itself is currently
having a hard to time to uphold credibility.

First, I am taken aback that Minister of Defense and Security/
Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto is allowing one of his
generals to busy himself with soccer while the Armed Forces is
currently facing problems of national security that have
apparently reached a critical stage, only with the reason that
managing soccer is a state duty.

Second, I did not think that soccer would be on the priority
list of National Resilience Institute Governor Lt. Gen. Agum
Gumelar, who should be busy with planning/leading the management
of a national resilience system, to normalize conditions in the
country.

Third, I am astonished at statements made by Maj. Gen.
Sutiyoso and Arie Sudewo on the capabilities of Agum Gumelar to
raise funds. Frankly, I am worried that such fund raising will
cause high costs, so that eventually, the public will be the ones
to suffer because of it.

Fourth, I appeal to Gen. Wiranto to reconsider the appointment
of Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar as PSSI chairman. Would it not be much
better to assign him to first plan a strategy for the restoration
of the Armed Forces' credibility (which is, according to Gen.
Bambang Yudhoyono, at its lowest point), then plan a strategy to
settle the problems of Aceh, East Timor, Irian Jaya, Lampung, the
Tanjung Priok incident and other problems which are still being
questioned.

Fifth, I appeal to PSSI to look for a professional manager in
soccer organization and not to choose from the military because
there is a distinct difference between civilian and military
characteristics. If there is no such manager here, just hire
someone from abroad if the necessary funds are available. I
recall that PSSI was good when led by Maladi, a civilian. It was
under him that Indonesia performed very well at the Melbourne
Olympics in 1956, when Indonesia held the strong Soviet team to a
draw.

However, if there is the wish for a military man in PSSI's top
position, why not contact Prabowo Subianto? Is he not a military
officer who is responsible, smart, creative and who may be able
to look for funds, or has his own private funds?

ASEP SALMON

Bandung, West Java