Zarkasih quits post at Taekwondo body

JAKARTA (JP): Ahmad Zarkasih Hamid has resigned from his post of secretary-general of the Indonesian Taekwondo Association (TI) as of Aug. 1, saying he wanted to focus on his business.

TI chairman Suharto appointed chief of student and college division Adrian Lumowa to replace Zarkasih until new management could be set up in the national congress in 2001.

Apart from the career reason, there has been an allegation that Zarkasih was involved in smuggling Indonesian workers abroad. The workers were identified as athletes and sports officials competing in overseas tournaments. Zarkasih has refused to comment on the matter.

"My resignation has nothing to do with it," he told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

"For several months, I have been neglecting my work at an attorney's office. Moreover, I have started a new business and it needs my full concentration. I'm not chasing big cash but I want to sharpen my expertise," he added.

Zarkasih said he would help out whenever TI asked him to.

Adrian did not give a clear-cut explanation of the allegation, but he said the case was being handled by Suharto, who is also the inspector general at the Ministry of Defense.

"We know there is an allegation that illegal migrant workers were sent along with Indonesian contingents to the Inter- University Tae Kwon Do Championships. Our chairman has verified the allegation, and the secretary-general withdraw during this process," he said.

Adrian was referring to the Sixth World Tae Kwon Do Inter- University Championships in Kaohsiung, China Taipei, in March, where he was the training director.

He said every name submitted to participate in an event is approved by the chairman and signed by the secretary-general.

"I can't tell you anything before Pak Suharto gives an explanation. I don't want to precede him," he said.

Adrian also said that TI was notified by the National Sports Council (KONI) about the allegation.

KONI Secretary-General Rudolf S. Warouw said in June that he would clarify the allegation with the related institution. KONI issues a confirmation letter to the immigration department, which is approved by the office of the state minister of youth affairs and sports, on the list of athletes to compete overseas. (ivy)