Paruwadi ready to meet Sudarsono over the debt issue

Datuk Paruwadi Musa showing the list of  
FAS debts to the press. 

KUCHING:  Former vice president of the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) Datuk Paruwadi Musa said he was surprised that FAS president Datuk Sudarsono Osman did not know anything about the association's debt to him.
“I was surprise when he (Sudarsono) mentioned that he was not aware of the record about the association’s debt to me.
“The last time I called the deputy president (Abu Bakar Merzuki) with regard to the matter (debt) was before I went off to Pahang for the Malaysia Games last month.
“And when the president seem to say that he doesn’t know about the debt I was surprise but I don’t blame him because I understand he is a busy man and he have a lot of works to do,” said Paruwadi to the press yesterday.
He said the amount he demanded for repayment from FAS was the cost of airfares, accommodations, transportations and referee’s fee and not including foods and drinks for the players and officials during game’s day in Peninsula Malaysia.
“I also paid the players their pocket money because I pity them going to Peninsula Malaysia playing without pocket money.
“I understand they also need money to buy food and support their family but I am not claiming anything for the contributions. If I include the amount I contributed without receipts, the amount would be more than RM100,720,” he added.
He said the allocation from FAM at that time was not enough for the team to participate in the Premier League, President’s Cup and the Youth Cup.
Paruwadi also claimed that the association owed several past officers of the team and players in salaries.
“They all sacrifice for the team in 2007 when at that time the association was in bad financial shape and they deserved to be paid when the association’s financial is okay like it is now.
Paruwadi accepted Sudarsono invitation to discuss the matter face to face, saying: “I am willing to talk with him and have breaking of fast with him and other FAS officials and I will pay for the bills. Just set the date.”
On the suggestion that he should just write-off the debt and regard it as his donation to the association, Paruwadi said he can’t do that because he has helped FAS a lot and the amount he demanded from FAS was mean for donation to various welfare organisations including RM5,000 donation to Laila Taib Orphanage Home and for building a surau at Tabuan Park.
“I know FAS have got the money from a deal which I do not want to disclose at this moment of time,” he said, but added he will expose everything if FAS still refuse to settle the amount to him.
Thus, he appeal to FAS to immediately settle their debts to him.
“FAS has spent a lot of money for the team but still they failed to achieve good result in the Malaysia League and it happened because there was no ‘blessing’ fkir the team,” he added.
When told that Sudarsono wanted him to produce the receipts on the alleged expenses and money owed by FAS to him, Paruwadi said he had already submitted them to FAS even before Sudarsono became the FAS president.
“He should check with FAS. I know he is a busy but I hope he will take some of his time to check the records. I have talked to Abu Bakar (FAS deputy president) on the matter,” he added.
 Sudarsono in reply to the allegation made by Paruwardi said he wants to settle the matter in a diplomatic manner and not through the press.
He said it was no secret that FAS was in a bad financial shape and when the current exco took over FAS in 2010, it was public knowledge that FAS was in deep financial crisis. The estimated debt then was around RM4 million.
He said among others, the debt include salaries owed to players since 2006, outstanding EPF contribution since 2004, stadium rentals since 1994 and unpaid medical bills for treatment of players.
Sudarsono said FAS appreciated the efforts of the past management who kept the association afloat during those difficult times.
He said some of the EXCO members had to chip in their own m,oney to ensure the team could compete in the Malaysia league.
“I believe Paruwadi was one of those who had sponsored the team, Unfortunate, these expenses were without records. I believe all these spending were done out of love for the game,” he said.
Therefore Sudarsono had advised Paruwadi – if indeed FAS owes him more than RM100k as he alleged, then he should come and sit down with him to discuss how that should be settled.