Soeharto endorses sale of SEA Games stickers

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has agreed to continue the sale of SEA Games stickers after the end of the Games to help pay off bank loans needed to hold the biennial sports event.

Chairman of the Indonesian Sports Committee Wismoyo Arismunandar said the SEA Games consortium, chaired by Soeharto's second son Bambang Trihatmodjo and charged with collecting funds for the Games, has only managed to accumulate Rp 62 billion of the Rp 105 billion (US$36.2 million) needed.

The funds come from sticker sales, sponsorships and donations.

According to Wismoyo, the President has agreed to extend the sale of stickers after the sports event until the entire target is reached.

"The rest of the Rp 43 billion will likely come from low- interest bank loans," the former Army chief said after meeting with Soeharto at Merdeka Palace yesterday.

The 19th SEA Games will kick off on Oct. 11. The nine-day event will be attended by more than 8,000 athletes, officials and referees from 10 countries in the region.

To garner public funds, the consortium, with the full blessing of the government, has collected "contributions" through the sale of stickers tacked onto public utility bills, including electricity, telephone and drinking water. Moviegoers have also been charged Rp 1,000 when purchasing tickets.

Criticism

Consumer rights activists have criticized the consortium, saying that while the sticker purchases are voluntary, people are often put in a position where they cannot refuse to buy them.

Wismoyo said yesterday that maximum efforts have been used to collect as many donations as possible, but the funds have still fallen short.

"We started selling the stickers too late. We only started in June," he explained.

"It is very encouraging that the President gives serious attention in solving this financial problem," Wismoyo added.

He did not elaborate on details of the loan plan, saying that it would need more discussion with concerned parties.

"For the glory of the country and state we are ready to sacrifice our belongings, even our lives," Wismoyo said full of bravado.

The SEA Games organizing committee announced last week that it had already spent Rp 60.4 billion for preparations, sports equipment, computers, training, the opening ceremony and transportation. (prb)