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.