BLITAR – Blitar Mayor Syauqul Muhibbin has denied allegations that the city government interfered in the Musorkot, or city sports deliberation, process for the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) in Blitar City.
The controversy emerged after several parties questioned the city administration’s involvement before the KONI leadership election.
Syauqul said the Blitar City Government only carried out its supervisory and coaching responsibilities as required under Indonesia’s sports regulations.
According to him, the administration first received several letters related to disputes surrounding the KONI chairman candidate selection process.
After receiving the complaints, Syauqul instructed the acting head of the youth and sports office to summon KONI officials and the candidate screening committee, known locally as the TPP.
“We wanted to fully understand the issue and learn how KONI and the TPP handled the Musorkot preparation process,” Syauqul said on Tuesday.
He stressed that the city government has legal authority to supervise and guide sports organizations, including KONI.
“The accusation of government interference sounds strange. We only carried out supervision and coaching duties according to regulations,” he said.
Before the Musorkot took place, the city administration also invited several sports associations for discussions about the KONI chairman election and its possible impact on local sports organizations.
During the forum, officials discussed legal considerations and possible risks connected to each candidate.
Syauqul insisted that the discussions did not aim to direct voters toward a specific candidate.
“We discussed possible impacts, not candidate preferences. We explained the risks if candidate A wins or if candidate B wins,” he explained.
According to the mayor, the discussions aimed to help sports organizations understand future challenges after the election.
He also emphasized that the city government has no political interest in deciding who should lead KONI Blitar City.
Syauqul said KONI members and sports branches hold full voting rights during the Musorkot process.
“Anyone capable of improving local sports development deserves the opportunity. The decision belongs to KONI and sports branches,” he stated.
The mayor also expressed disappointment because several sports organizations skipped the discussion forum organized before the election.
According to him, the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the future of local sports organizations.
The Musorkot process has attracted public attention in recent weeks because KONI leadership strongly influences athlete development and regional sports programs in Blitar City.