Jakarta Governor Basuki ‘Ahok’ Tjahaja Purnama had no idea if Persija soccer club was ruled by individual. If so, he refuses to spend City Budget (APBD) money to finance the club which shares still owned by private party.

If Persija’s achievement was bad, don’t scold us. Scold to Persija’s management

“I am confused why Jakarta gave Persija to individual? If it had to be PT (limited company), why not all city-owned enterprises (BUMD) become administrators? BUMD have shares, so all money transactions would be clear and Persija’s achievement would also be good,” he expressed, Tuesday (12/9).

Moreover, Ahok stated that if Persija asked for money, Jakarta Provincial Government cannot give it because it is against the rule.

“Persija is theirs (private party), how could they have no good will to give shares for city government? I’m also confused why Jakarta Provincial Government cannot have shares there, because Persija was ours,” he said.

Ahok admitted that shares acquisition has been offered to PT Persija Jaya. However, Persija management asked Jakarta Provincial Government to pay in a fantastic amount of money worth billions of rupiahs. Since the price is considered unreasonable, the request was instantly turned down.

“That’s why I ordered it to stop and don’t give even for one percent. I’ve been telling to just sell Persija to us, but they refused. They wanted tens or hundreds of billions instead, that’s crazy. It’s okay for us to spend money for Persija, but where is our share? If we gave the money, let us manage it,” he asserted.

According to Ahok, he could not do much for Persija’s achievement if the shares were not owned by Jakarta Provincial Government. This is because city administration is not included in Persija’s organization structure.

“If Persija’s achievement was bad, don’t scold us. Scold to Persija’s management,” he stressed.