SEA Games puzzle still lingers

SEA Games puzzle still lingers

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Hayono
Isman has pledged to resolve the controversy over the amount of
funds raised through sticker sales for the SEA Games.

"I will seek information from the four institutions involved
in the sale of stickers for the SEA Games. This information will
help the consortium's public accountant to present a report,"
Hayono said during a hearing with Commission VII for education,
religion, sports and youth affairs at the House of
Representatives Monday.

He was referring to the ministries of transportation and
tourism, post and telecommunications, the state-owned electricity
company, PLN, and the city revenue office.

Hayono expected the report from the consortium's public
accountant would be presented next month or in April. "But we
hope by March at the latest," he told the commission chaired by
Zarkasih Noer.

Hayono thanked the four institutions for helping the
consortium with sticker sales for the Games, held in Jakarta in
October last year.

Stickers were compulsory along with payment of bills for
telephone subscribers, including cellular phone users,
electricity consumers, air transportation travelers and motorists
extending their driving licenses.

Commission members were dissatisfied with the explanation, and
urged a comprehensive report on the fund-raising to settle any
lingering questions.

Zarkasih said punishment should be meted out if allegations of
malfeasance in funds' handling were proven true.

"Officials involved in the fund-raising should be checked and,
if necessary, we will ask the state auditor for its help. If it
is discovered there are officials who have misused the funds,
they will definitely be brought to trial," Zarkasih said.

Wismoyo Arismunandar, chairman of the Indonesian Sports
Council who was present at the hearing Monday, said he hoped the
legislators had not formed a negative opinion of the consortium.

The consortium contributed their funds for the running of the
Games, he added.

"The consortium covered all costs for the SEA Games totaling
Rp 156 billion. Now we are waiting for the (report on) funds from
the four institutions conducting the fund-raising."

Wismoyo said he would agree to the consortium meeting with the
commission if questions remained.

"The most important thing is don't think negatively of the
consortium. The legislators are welcome to meet the consortium
and discuss all matters on the SEA Games fund-raising," Wismoyo
said. (lnt)