Senayan venues to be let for free
JAKARTA (JP): The Gelora Senayan Management Board has decided to allow sports organizations to use its venues in the Senayan sports complex for free.
State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono told reporters on Friday that a board meeting on Thursday night concluded that national athletes should be given top priority to practice and play in the complex's facilities.
"Many sports organizations have complained about the fees imposed on them when holding competitions. The board's executive directors had never given them any discounts," he said.
"It seems to us that ideally the sports bodies should not pay at all for the use of the facilities. The board must not pursue commercial goals only."
Agung is also a member of the board, which was formed by former president Soeharto in the early 1970s.
The minister/state secretary is the ex-officio chairman of the board, which also includes the state minister of housing and settlement, the minister of public works, the chairman of the National Sports Council, the Jakarta governor and the Jakarta military commander.
Agung said the board had enjoyed whopping royalties from private companies leasing plots in the complex.
"As far as I know, the royalties from the companies are very big but nothing has been allocated for sports development," Agung said, declining to mention the figure.
Ten private companies have been using state land in the complex under contracts of between 20 years and 40 years.
They are PT Kajima Overseas Asia (20 hectares), PT Manggala Pratama (4 hectares), PT Jakarta Country Club (4 hectares), PT Sinar Kemala Intermetro Golf (30 hectares), PT Adil Andaru (5.5 hectares), PT Lingga Hamparan Krida (4 hectares), PT Rajuli Adi Senayan (3,300 square meters), PT Indo Buildco (65,000 square meters), PT Wantas Perkasa Waya (4 hectares) and PT Waskita Mustika Indah (1 hectare).
Agung said the board also agreed to look into the contracts and the management of the areas.
"If there is any embezzlement, the board might unilaterally terminate the contract," he said.
In looking at the contracts, the Jakarta governor has been given the responsibility of reviewing building permits given to offices, hotels, apartments and shopping centers to determine whether they meet city planning requirements.
The minister of public works must determine whether activities under the contracts cause disturbances, including traffic congestion.
The board also decided to donate Rp 2 billion (US$181,900) to help the sports council send the national squad to the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December.
The fresh aid closes the books on the council's fund-raising efforts to bring in the Rp 5 billion it needs for the squad's transportation expenses. Last week it received Rp 3 billion from the Association of Indonesian Wood Panel Producers.
The government is expected to disburse a further Rp 3 billion in November. (yan)