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