SEA Games contribution

SEA Games contribution

From Neraca

In its press conference held some time ago the management of the Indonesian National Sports Council (KONI) explained about SEA Games funding. It was said that funds to be collected would reach close to Rp 40 billion, which is a huge amount.

Seventeen million stickers were printed and would be sold to telephone customers at Rp 1,000 each. The payment would be attached to telephone bills for five consecutive months. There are four million telephone customers, so 20 million stickers would be sold over a five-month period. However, in practice, telephone and cellular customers do not receive stickers when they pay their bills. Instead, the extra Rp 1,000 contribution to the SEA Games has been written on their bills.

Not only that, electricity customers (with 900 watts of power or more) have also been burdened by the same sticker at the same price. Their number is about 3.8 million. This is not to mention water company customers, visitors to entertainment centers, air passengers, etc.

In this context, YLKI (Foundation of Indonesian Institute of Consumers) raises the following question: Is it legal for the consortium to carry out this fund collecting program, considering that all government agencies have already issued a decree concerning the SEA Games contribution? In other words, funds collected from the public will far exceed the sale of 17 million stickers, which may even reach hundreds of billions of rupiah. YLKI views this system of fund collecting as too burdensome for society. It is difficult to control the operation of sales.

Therefore, we suggest that the government consider another alternative for sports fund-raising. An alternative could include a sports fund in the state budget. YLKI questions the legality of this obligatory contribution. If the purchase of stickers is compulsory or forced, YLKI calls on authorities to stop it for its violation of the law. Also YLKI asks KONI management and the consortium to report expenditures from funds collected that have been audited by government accountants and announce the results to the public.

YLKI does not object to those who pay the contribution voluntarily, but those who are sanctioned for not paying (e.g. power cut off, telephone lines disconnected, refused entrance to cinema or entertainment centers, etc.) are advised to contact us by fax: (021) 798-1038, or by e-mail: konsumen@rad.net.id.

TINI HADAD

YLKI Chairman