ARGUMENT UP TO DATE

Minister denies intervening with PSSI affairs

Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng rejected accusations that he was “intervening” in the Indonesian Soccer Association’s (PSSI) affairs by sending warnings to the organization in relation to the much-criticized, ongoing selection of a new PSSI chairman.

“The government only sent warnings. When someone is in an offside position, of course the government would blow the whistle,” Andi said during a working meeting with the House of Representatives' Commission X overseeing education and sports affairs.

“We never do such things as intervening. The government only involved itself in the matter to ensure that all existing regulations were obeyed,” he added.

Andi cited the 2005 Law on National Sports Systems, saying that the government was mandated to monitor sports organizations in the country.

He also cited a 2007 governmental regulation on sports affairs, which said the monitoring included internal control, evaluation and assessment of policies and programs.

Andi said the regulation rules on administrative sanctions in the form of warnings, written reprimands and dismissals, among others, for those committing administrative violations.

“The government is doing only as said by sports regulations in the country. This country has its own regulations binding sports organizations in Indonesia,” the minister added, as quoted by kompas.com

Pelita Jaya manager says RI needs FIFA

Pelita Jaya soccer club manager Lalu Mara Satria Wangsa says Indonesia needs FIFA to make soccer work in the nation.

“We can’t walk alone without FIFA,” he said on Monday, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com news portal.

World soccer governing body FIFA was reportedly displeased after the Indonesian government warned the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) to certify two candidates the PSSI previously disqualified as candidates to lead the association.

The disqualified candidates were oil tycoon and  rival soccer league organizer Arifin Panigoro and Indonesia Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Toisutta.

The only candidates short-listed by the PSSI for the upcoming chiarman’s election were incumbent chairman and former graft convict Nurdin Halid and current PSSI deputy chairman Nirwan D. Bakrie.

Missing tourists in Tangkuban Perahu found

A search team has found 22 tourists that were previously declared missing in the Tangkuban Perahu tourism park in Bandung Barat regency.

Search team leader Roman Ridwan said that the tourists, 10 men and 12 women, were discovered at around 2.15 a.m in Curug Ciakar, kompas.com reported.

The team’s search was hindered by fog and pre-cautions due to wild animals in the area.

The tourists were brought to the Tangkuban Perahu management office, PT Graha Rani Putra Persada (GRPP)