Savings scheme for sport not dead yet: Hayono

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman, who is being accused of condoning gambling in raising funds for sports development, yesterday said his plan for a savings scheme has not been abandoned completely.

Hayono however acknowledged that the scheme, known as Tapornas, has been widely discredited by bad publicity even before the study on it was completed.

"Tapornas is beaten black and blue before the concept was even finalized," he said during a hearing with House of Representatives' Commission IX, which covers sport,Antara reported.

The plan has earned a bad name because of the publicity, and so it might now be difficult to launch even if it was finally approved, he said, adding that he had originally hoped the saving scheme could be launched in 1996.

Tapornas was shot down from virtually all sides within a matter of days after the minister disclosed the plan last month. Critics said that like the previous SDSB lottery, Tapornas was bound to encourage gambling.

SDSB, which generated funds for the development of the country's sports, was scrapped in 1993 after strong protests from religious leaders.

Government officials have stressed that Tapornas is not a replacement of SDSB. It is a savings scheme with a low interest rate but big prizes drawn at regular intervals.

More recently, Hayono came under criticism following disclosures that he condoned a number of private companies to run amusement centers in Central Java on the government's behalf in return for royalties, which would be used to finance sports. The critics said that video games at the amusement centers have been widely used for gambling purposes.

The Antara report did not say whether this latest accusation was raised during the House hearing yesterday.

Hayono acknowledged that the saving scheme could be turned into a gambling scheme, but added that almost anything could also be manipulated the same way.

"A soccer game could also generate gambling," he said.

He explained that the government has agreed to continue exploring the possibility of launching the savings scheme despite the criticisms it has generated over the past month.

He added that his office is putting together a team to study the proposal with the House and the Islamic and Christian religious councils, the banking community and other organizations.

The minister also suggested that it was now time to consider increasing the allocation of the government budget for the development of sports.

The Rp 75 billion allocated out of the government's budget for a period of five years is far too small, he said, adding that he had repeatedly requested Rp 200 billion but was always rejected. (emb)