Attorney Bambang Trihatmodjo: Bailout Fund For The 1997 Sea Games Rp. 35 Billion Does Not Come From The State Budget

Attorney Bambang Trihatmodjo, Hardjuno Wiwoho. (Photo: By courtesy)

JAKARTA - Bambang Trihatmodjo's attorney team, Hardjuno Wiwoho, emphasized that the state bailout fund for the SEA GAMES 1997 event amounting to Rp35 billion does not come from the State Budget (APBN). However, this budget comes from Reforestation funds from the dues of Forest Concession Rights (HPH) entrepreneurs which are paid to the Ministry of Forestry and the Environment (KLH).

Ironically, according to Hardjuno, the Rp35 billion in the 2000 KLH Ministry of Environment's Financial Report Book had already been bleached. In fact, this bleaching since 20 years ago.

This means that the amount of Non-APBN funds is also not a problem by the Ministry of Environment, which in fact considers it not funds originating from state finances. Thus, it is assumed that there is no state loss either.

"Supposedly, there is no need to be handled frantically by the State Secretariat (Setneg) and the KPKLN, the Director General of State Assets at the Ministry of Finance. Moreover, to assign state institutions financed by the people to pursue an amount used for state events," said Hardjuno in his written statement, Tuesday. March 30th.

Therefore, said Hardjuno, the Ministry of Finance's steps to collect debts related to the implementation of the SEA Games XIX-1997 were excessive. This is because the money that is used for the benefit of the state has been accounted to to the Indonesian Parliament, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare as competent government representatives for the violation of the 1997 Sea Games.

Even together with KONI, its implementation has been considered part of the story of a successful state event episode.

"We all know that the 1997 Sea Games were a success. An international event that honors the nation and state," said Hardjuno, who is also the Economic and Political Observer of the State Economic and Financial Research Institute (LPEKN).

But strangely, he continued, currently there are parties in the age of social media euphoria raising the Rp35 billion bailout fund. Amazingly, this condition was blown up and then heralded as if it were the great job of the Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani.

Even though it is clear Hardjuno, this matter is a small change. In fact, the state still owes Rp. 86 billion for the 1997 Sea Games state event.

Just so you know, the 1997 Sea Games cost Rp. 156 billion. Meanwhile, the bailout fund from the Reforestation Fund was only IDR 35 billion.

"How come today I even want to collect Non-APBN coins. Isn't that strange? The 1997 Sea Games case has calmed down, how come all of a sudden it's dug out of its grave," said this Legal Practitioner.

Furthermore, Hardjuno emphasized that the 1997 Sea Games state event was carried out well and professionally by the Chief Executive, Bambang Yoga Sugomo. As a private party in the 1997 Sea Games Organizing Partner Consortium, they have done a good job.

In fact, for the success of this event, they are willing to pay for the 1997 Sea Games budget.

"It becomes strange, it has been pushed, and then charged by the KPKLN and the Ministry of Finance regarding the records of bailout funds for the preparation of contingent athletes, which at that time were not given any budget from the 1997/1998 State Budget," he explained.

Hardjuno then compared the 2011 SEA Games and the 2018 Asian Games. These two sporting events received funding from the state budget.

For the 2011 Sea Games, the source of funds came from the 2010 State Budget amounting to IDR 350 billion (US $ 38.7 million). Meanwhile, the 2011 Indonesian Budget has budgeted for a total cost of IDR 2.1 trillion (US $ 230 million).

The Indonesian government has even increased the budget of IDR1 trillion (US $ 110 million) from the APBN, including IDR 600 billion from the budget for the education sector, and donations from sponsors.

Likewise with the 2018 Asian Games. The organizing budget reaches Rp. 5.4 trillion, all of which come from the state budget.

"In the 1997 Sea Games, there was no budget. The organizers were looking for their own money. The bailout funds were also collected. Even though there was also more," he concluded.