SEAG Consortium told to report to public
SEAG Consortium told to report to public
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
Hayono Isman yesterday urged the 19th SEA Games Consortium to
give transparent reports to the public about the fund raising it
did to finance the biennial event last year.
Hayono said after meeting consortium members at his office
that consortium executive director Bambang Yoga Soegama would
hold a press conference today about the fund raising, accompanied
by Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler public accountants.
"I hope all departments give transparent reports to the
consortium because we have to be responsible to the public. Don't
be sloppy because it could give the government a bad name," the
minister said.
The consortium promised to explain its audited financial
report on Dec. 31 but delayed it until mid-January, and again
until today.
The consortium raised funds for the Games by selling stickers
to users of telephones (including cellular phone), water and
electricity, and to airplane passengers and car owners who
extended their driver's licenses or vehicle registration
documents.
Fund raising, based on a Ministry of Social Services
instruction, ended on Dec. 31, 1997.
Hayono said: "Don't let any there be any dishonesty in the
fund raising. If the money from sticker sales didn't go to the
consortium, it has to find out where the money went. The
government can sue the consortium if it is proved to have defied
a ministerial instruction."
"I have received its temporary reports and I'll report on them
to the President before the hearing with House Commission VII for
youth affairs and sports on Monday," Hayono said.
"Bapak President will offer solutions to the problems faced by
the consortium, which had to add billions because it failed to
raise its targeted amount," he said, declining to mention how
much was added.
The consortium had to provide Rp 105 billion (US$42 million,
at the old rate of Rp 2,500) to finance the Indonesian contingent
and the staging of the event. It expected to raise Rp 35 billion
from sticker sales but apparently only raised Rp 20.55 billion.
Separately, the National Sports Council's 13th Asian Games
task force chairman, Muhammad Hindarto, said the council had also
asked Badminton Association of Indonesia and All Indonesian
Soccer Federation officials to prepare answers to questions from
House commission members for Monday's meeting.
Task force member Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar said there were
questions on national badminton players' performances, which have
been poorer than usual in international events recently.
They also have questions for the soccer body about whether it
will compete in the Asiad and about its decentralized training
program, which may take place in Surabaya.
Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar said a meeting between
council officials and Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M.
yesterday morning brought good results as the minister supported
the council's program to have four provinces stage long-term
training for the Asiad.
"The council will detail the roles of the four provinces --
Jakarta, West Java, Central Java and East Java -- in the
training. Their participation really helps the council prepare
our athletes for the Asiad," he said.
"I also urge other provinces to follow in their footsteps and
start helping the council," he added. (yan)