Ami Afriatni

Indonesia's Suryo Agung Wibowo, center, on his way to win the gold medal in the men's 200m final at the SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo: Ahmad Yusni, EPA)

Indonesia's Medal Winners Cash in On Government Promise

With the Southeast Asian Games now over, it is time for athletes to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

The Indonesian government fulfilled its promise to reward those who won medals in Vientiane, Laos.

It bestowed bonuses of Rp 200 million ($21,000) to gold medalists on Sunday, with Rp 50 million going to those who won silver and Rp 30 million for bronze.

“And [the bonuses] are tax free,” State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Andi Mallarangeng said during the ceremony to present the bonuses.

As the government paid out for each medal, multiple winners quickly piled up the cash. Suryo Agung Wibowo won gold in the men’s 100- and 200-meter dashes, as well as a bronze in the 4x100-meter relay

“I heard that PASI [the Indonesian Athletics Association] would award an additional Rp 200 million for every record-breaker,” Suryo, 25, said. “I broke both the SEA Games and the national record in the 100. Thanks to God for everything.”

Suryo won the 100 in 10.17 seconds, beating his own SEA Games record of 10.25 set at the 2007 Games.

He also beat Mardi Lestari’s national record of 10.20, which had stood for 20 years.

Distance runner Triyaningsih defended her women’s 5,000- and 10,000-meter titles. She also set a new SEA Games record of 33 minutes, 50.06 seconds in the 10,000, topping the record set by Supriati Sutono at the 2001 Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Faizal Zainuddin enjoyed one of the Indonesian team’s most productive Games. His karate gold medals in men’s individual and team kata allowed him to bring Rp 400 million back to his hometown of Makassar, South Sulawesi.

“I will spend some on the hajj journey next year together with my parents and also establish a restaurant,” the 27-year-old said.

Glenn Victor Susanto won swimming medals in the men’s 100-m backstroke and 4x100 medley relay, and archer Novia Nuraini took top spot in the women’s individual and team recurve events.

Simon Santoso, Nova Widianto, Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan each won two golds in badminton, finishing first in their individual events and the team event.

The government also provided bonuses of Rp 50 million, Rp 30 million and Rp 15 million to coaches of gold, silver and bronze medalists, respectively.

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