Wismoyo fed up with Damura dispute
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI) Wismoyo Arismunandar showed his annoyance on Wednesday over the prolonged dispute surrounding the proposed fund-raising program Damura (the People's Fund for Sports).
Wismoyo said KONI and Damura scratch card distributors PT Mutiara Mandala Mahardhika (3M) had deliberated on all possibilities that might be effectuated should the program be launched in April.
"Damura has gone through a long and tiring deliberation which has used up all our energy. I want to keep sports activities alive although we only have a little money in our pocket. We studied all the public policies before we decided to support the proposal and we intend to observe them," he said.
He said he had no intention of impoverishing people through the program.
"Sport activities are popular among the middle and lower- classes. How could I have the purpose of putting them through misery? Our work here is to show our devotion to this country," he said.
Damura has been the subject of much speculation after KONI announced last month that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with PT 3M to manage the distribution of the coupons.
Each scratch card, consisting of two parts, will be sold for Rp 5,000 (70 U.S. cents). Prize amounts will range from Rp 5,000 to Rp 25 million. KONI is slated to receive 6.5 percent from coupon sales, or Rp 325 per coupon.
PT 3M said it had secured a permit from the Ministry of Social Services in September 1999. It earlier claimed to have received the approval of the House of Representatives, the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) and the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI).
But House members, the YLKI and MUI have lashed out at the proposal, arguing that Damura would encourage gambling. Officials of sports organization have also questioned the small percentage of revenue from coupon sales slated to be given to KONI.
Early in March, PT 3M's general manager Mutia Farida said she had decided to reduce the amount of revenue earned given away as prizes from 50 percent to 40 percent. She said the 10 percent difference would be given to KONI, meaning it would receive 16.5 percent instead of 6.5 percent.
President Abdurrahman Wahid has not showed any response to the proposal.
On Tuesday, State Minister of Social Affairs and head of the National Board of Social Welfare Anak Agung Gde Agung said he was waiting for other suggestions from MUI, YLKI and House members before asking for the President's approval.
Wismoyo said that the prize money was also intended for scholarships and to support Islamic boarding schools and other activities, which he refused to mention.
"We consider 6.5 percent as quite a big share. The prize money used to be 50 percent of the total revenues because it was intended for social activities, such as scholarships. We also plan to support Islamic boarding schools and other activities," he said.
He said that KONI and PT 3M had pledged a transparent accountability report. He also blamed sport journalists for failing to support the proposal in their reporting.
"I am very disappointed with all of you. I wanted good cooperation with you. I will hold a dialog with you to avoid miscommunication. You know, it's the State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports' job to raise funds for sport, not mine. But I don't want to see our sport's achievements decline because we don't have any money for training," he said. (ivy)