TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The total budget of the 18th Asian Games in Palembang, South Sumatra, reached Rp68 trillion. The figure was above the Regional Budget (APBD) which allocated at Rp6.9 trillion per year.
“[That number] is the three years budget; not a year. It is from the State Budget (APBN), private companies, CSR, and others. If added from private or third parties, it will be over Rp70 trillion,” the South Sumatra Governor Alex Noerdin explained during his visit to the Tempo office today, July 17.
“We don’t have money, but we can build [infrastructures] and that the budget comes from there.”
Alex further said the fund was not merely for the 2018 Asian Games. “We use the budget to build infrastructures also, not only for the games,” he added.
The 18th Asian Games will be held on August 18-September 2, 2018, in Jakarta and Palembang. As many as 45 countries throughout Asia will join the continental multi-sports event.
The infrastructure in Palembang, Alex mentioned, includes the regional development of four toll roads, bridges, flyover, underpass, and airport along with its capacity, as well as LRT construction.
Alex said the preparation progress has 100 percent completed. He had also decorated several places including LRT facilities. “Yesterday, the President spends two days in Palembang and he said the places are more attractive than in Jakarta,” said the governor.
The governor was now focusing on branding and socializing the Asian Games 2018. He claimed Palembang has long been promoted since 2011. “As many as 42 international events are held in Palembang since then, the Asia Pacific or even world-class events,” Alex said.
MOH KHORY ALFARIZI
