T

he spirit of sportsmanship is not behind the government's plan to move the third Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) venue from Pekanbaru to Jakarta.

'Being a corruption suspect is a major violation. That's the main consideration behind moving the venue to Jakarta. We cannot possibly see the President sat next to a corruption suspect [during the opening ceremony],' Youth and Sport Minister Roy Suryo said on Monday night referring to Riau Governor Rusli Zainal.

Roy and People's Welfare Minister Agung Laksono were in Riau to discuss the issue with the local administration;

Rusli was named a suspect in several graft cases surrounding the construction of the recent National Games (PON) venues in Riau last year.

The government's move was also motivated by the local administration's failure to meet the deadline to prepare the facilities, particularly the main stadium.

The Games were rescheduled from June to September but that would have clashed with regional elections. It was feared that the elections would create an uncomfortable atmosphere for the games.

The construction of the main stadium ground has now been halted with a consortium of state-owned companies (KSO) ' PT Adhi Karya, PT Wijaya Karya and PT Pembangunan Perumahan ' reportedly having debts of Rp 23 billion (US$2.36 million) to 12 subcontractors.

Riau administration had only disbursed 68 percent of Rp 900 billion of the total budget of development of the stadium to the KSO. That leaves the administration with considerable debt.

The government has yet to deliver its final decision regarding the planned relocation of the multi-sport event that is expected to feature athletes from 57 members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Ironically, Roy's persistence to move ISG to Jakarta received opposition from his fellow entourage.

Agung said that Riau had prepared for the event, so there was no reason to move it to Jakarta.

'I think all the venues for ISG have been fixed. What more can we expect? Changing the host would only hurt Riau's people who are eager for the event to be held in their region,' he said.

'I personally think Riau has been better prepared to host ISG as it has already hosted the PON. But it depends on the sport minister. I will report any decisions to the president,' Agung said.