Indonesian military indicates to solve accommodation problem of SEAG

The Indonesian Military hinted that it could lend two ships to Southeast Asian Games organizers to help solve accommodation problems in Palembang, the Jakarta Globe reported here on Tuesday. "We have yet to decide whether to accept or reject the SEA Games organizers' request to use several of our ships as floating hotels to accommodate the Games participants. However, based on previous experience, if it's in the nation's interest, the military has never rejected any request (to use its assets). I think the SEA Games is a national interest," Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Rear Adm. Iskandar Sitompul told the daily on Monday Less than a month before the Games open in Palembang of South Sumtra province and Jakarta on Nov. 11, the organizing committee (INASOC) only recently learned it would face accommodation shortages in the South Sumatra capital. So far, 15,900 athletes and officials from 11 countries have been registered for the Games, and roughly half will stay in Palembang. However, the athletes' village in Palembang's Jakabaring Sports City can only fit about 2,000 occupants, and there are an estimated 4,500 hotel rooms in the city. That could leave INASOC short by as many as 1,500 beds - and that does not include other visitors, fans and journalists who may flock to Palembang.