"I know that the task is not easy."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has appointed Roy Suryo as the new sports and youth affairs minister, replacing Andi Mallarangeng.

"I was called today by the President to fill the position left vacant by Andi Mallarangeng since December 8, 2012. I know that the task is not easy," Roy told the press after meeting with the head of state at the presidential palace here on Friday.

He said he was called by the President at 9 am local time to undergo a "fit and proper test".

"This morning, on Friday, January 11, 2013, I was called by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was accompanied by Vice President Boediono, State Secretary Sudi Silalahi and Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam, to his office. And I underwent what is called a fit and proper test," Roy stated.

"The test had actually started a week ago, which involved a medical check-up at Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital last week," he added.

Roy said he would have three priorities as the new sports minister - improving the internal management of the ministry, boosting the nation`s performance in sports, and finding a solution to the problem of dualism in managerial leadership in some branches of sports.

As reported earlier, Andi resigned from the cabinet after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named him as a suspect in the Hambalang graft case on December 3 last year.

He and several other officials of the ministry were accused of abusing their powers, which caused the state losses of Rp246.6 billion.
(Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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