SEA Games VIPs to roar around in 'Rp 850m' Jaguars

JAKARTA (JP): To serve the VVIP and VIP guests and all the participants during the 19th SEA Games, the organizers are providing 777 imported cars, trucks and buses.

Twenty of the cars are Jaguar Daimlers, reportedly costing Rp 850 million (US$230,000) each. Other cars include Toyota Celcior sedans, Mercedes Benz V230 vans and Hyundai Arya vans.

The vans will be used to transport athletes, liaison officers, officials, referees and organizers during the nine-day event.

The SEA Games consortium's promotion and business deputy, Enggartiasto Lukita, told reporters yesterday that the Bimantara group, owned by consortium chairman Bambang Trihatmodjo, was responsible for financing the transportation, including providing the cars.

"The organizers only know that Bimantara has provided the transportation," he said.

However, Enggartiasto declined to mention the types and prices of the luxurious cars.

"I'm not authorized to comment. Please ask Bimantara," he said.

Yesterday, the National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, who is also the president of the organizers, arrived at his office riding in one of the Jaguars.

Enggartiasto also declined to say if the consortium planned to auction any of the cars after the event.

"Please ask Bimantara," he repeatedly said.

The cars are located in the parking area next to the Senayan indoor stadium, being guarded by military personnel.

Enggartiasto said that the consortium was steadily handing over the rest of the Rp 105 billion arrears still owed, based on the organizers needs.

"If there's still a lack of funds, it will be the consortium chairman's responsibility," he said, declining to mention where the money would come from.

The consortium still has to hand over nearly Rp 45 billion to the organizers, including Rp 11 billion to finance the national training program.

Earlier yesterday, the organizing committee's computer operational deputy Paulus Prananto told a press conference that his department would install 326 personal computers in all venues.

This breaks down to 94 in the 34 sports venues, 25 in the secretariat, 40 in the computer center, 14 in the consortium's office, 40 in the international broadcasting center, 96 in the main press center, two in the Hotel Atlet Century Park, 10 in the Hotel Mulia and five in the council's office.

The department is also providing 139 unit printers and seven servers.

PT Pos Indonesia, in cooperation with Zyrex and Sybase, will provide updated data everyday, including results.

"Thirty minutes after a match ends, people can read about it on the Internet," Paulus said.

The computer department has installed 20 online computers and was to add other 60 late yesterday.

The computers will be sold after the Games end. About 150 have already been booked.

Later yesterday, PT Kymco Lippo Motor Indonesia lent 50 motorcycles to the organizers for the SEA Games.

The company is also providing free-of-charge maintenance, technicians and spare parts during the Games. (yan)