Shuttlers warned of psychological warfare
Shuttlers warned of psychological warfare
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto addressed the national Thomas
Cup and Uber Cup badminton teams yesterday, cautioning them to be
psychologically ready for the way the foreign media reported
events in Indonesia.
The President said psychological warfare may be waged against
the national shuttlers through reports of bad news about crisis-
stricken Indonesia.
The teams will leave for Hong Kong on Tuesday to attempt a
third successive double Cup win.
"We will take on their psychological warfare and terrorism,
and so forth ... The false reports on Indonesia, some half-baked
mockeries, may be exploited to weaken our players," Soeharto told
the badminton squads.
He said the foreign media always covered the dark side of the
crisis in Indonesia.
"They always describe it as if we are facing chaos and famine
because of the economic wreckage. They also think the crisis will
adversely affect our players' performances. Of course we are in
trouble, but not that way," Soeharto said.
He said the players would hear bad news during their outing,
but asked them to maintain their composure in order to retain the
two coveted trophies.
"If you can win the Cups, it will brush aside all the
incorrect media reports," he said.
The biennial event will be held at the Queen Elizabeth Indoor
Stadium in Hong Kong from May 15 to May 24. Jakarta-based private
TV network RCTI will broadcast every match live played by the
Indonesian team from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Soeharto received a courtesy call from the shuttlers at the
Bina Graha presidential office. Badminton Association of
Indonesia chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, Minister of Youth Affairs
and Sports Agung Laksono and National Sports Council (KONI)
chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar were also present at the meeting.
The Thomas Cup men's team is made up of Hariyanto Arbi,
Hendrawan, Marlev Mainaky, Indra Wijaya, Joko Suprianto
(singles), Chandra Wijaya, Sigit Budiarto, Ricky Subagja, Rexy
Mainaky and Tony Gunawan (doubles).
The Uber Cup women's team consists of Susi Susanti, Mia
Audina, Meiluawati, Ellen Angelina, Cindana (singles), Elisa,
Zelin Resiana, Deyana Lomban, Indarti Isolina and Finarsih
(doubles).
Subagyo told Soeharto that the badminton association had
groomed the players since January and that they were determined
to retain the Cups.
Indonesia has won the Thomas Cup a record 10 times since 1957
and the Uber Cup three times.
Indonesia is the current holder of both Cups from wins two
years ago in Hong Kong.
Earlier Wednesday, Director General of Taxation I Made Gde
Brata said the government had granted the sports council's
request for departure tax exemptions for all members of the two
teams.
The government quadrupled the tax, imposed on residents
leaving the country by air, to Rp 1 million in February.
Exemptions are normally given to members of cultural, sports
and religious missions representing the country. Minister of
Finance Fuad Bawazier had announced earlier that only athletes
and officials bound to competitions with multiple events deserved
the exemption.
Secretary-general of the association, Leo Ch. Wiranata, said
the exemption would save up to Rp 40 million for the 37-member
team. (lnt/prb)