Indonesia organises SMS donations for F1’s Haryanto
[color=#9900 !important] The Indonesian government is rallying its troops in support of its [color=#9900 !important]first-ever Formula 1 driver, Rio Haryanto. The Manor Racing driver is said to be in need of further financial assistance if he is to continue his stay in Formula 1 with the racing team. To be able to race for his team this year, Haryanto agreed to pay Manor Racing a total of 15 million euros (RM65 million). Thus far, CNN Indonesia reports that the driver has been able to pay a total of 10.8 million euros (RM47.3 million), thanks to sponsorship funds from Pertamina, the Indonesian state-owned oil and natural gas company, and from the local tourism ministry. Rio still needs another 4.2 million euros (RM18.4 million), though, and Indonesia’s youth and sports ministry as well as the communications and information ministry have banded together for a potential solution. It is said that the government has rallied five telecommunications providers to set up a system where citizens of Indonesia can donate money to Rio’s cause via text messaging. Telkomsel, Indosat, Smartfren, XL Axiata and Tri telco users may text “RIO” to 7788 to donate 5,000 rupiah (RM1.50) from their credit balances to Rio’s cause. The terms are that 4,500 rupiah (RM1.30) will be donated directly to the driver’s fund, with the remaining go to the necessary telco charges. To acquire the balance Rio needs around 12.4 million messages to be sent, amounting to 62 billion rupiah (RM18 billion). Donations will be taken up until July 17. “Let us support this — it can be like taking medicine, three times a day,” said the minister of communications and information, Rudiantara. “Moreover, the number of mobile users in Indonesia is quite large. If things go well, I think it will be enough to provide the support.” The minister added that he wishes for such initiatives to be available when other athletes in Indonesia also need it.
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