Ami Afriatni – The troubled Islamic Solidarity Games hit another roadblock on Monday as construction workers sealed the Riau Main Stadium, in Pekanbaru, over allegations that they had not been paid.

Construction crews began their protest last year by disassembling hundreds of spectator seats, the sound system and the score board at the stadium. They reignited the dispute on Monday as Indonesia Olympic Committee (KOI) officials visited the site, according to reports on the Indonesian news portal Detik.com.

The workers locked the doors and hung a banner reading "We do not permit PT PP-Adhi-Wika use our asset facility before [they] settle up the payment. No more fake promises."

The workers claim they are owed Rp 30 billion ($3 million) in backpay. The money is allegedly held up by the local government, which had agreed to pay the PP-Adhi-Wika consortium the funds to hire a subcontractor to build the stadium.

The stadium, which was constructed for Indonesia's National Games (PON), has been clouded by corruption allegations levied against Riau governor and graft suspect Rusli Zainal.

Officers with the local Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) removed the banner and opened the stadium on Monday morning, allowing KOI president Rita Subowo to enter with her staff. She promised to resolve the payment issue and ensure that preparations for the Islamic Solidarity Games continued on schedule.

"It is our commitment to succeed [with] these games, despite the reality we are now facing," she told reporters. "It is for the sale of the 'Merah Putih' [red and white]. This problem must be cleared up. The main stadium is where the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games are going to take place." Rita urged the local government, PP-Adhi-Wika and the workers to put an end to the dispute.

"The province should be proud to hold such an international event," she said. "Without the stadium, there would be no Islamic Solidarity Games."

The planned Islamic Solidarity Games will bring some 5,000 athletes to Pekanbaru, Riau, to compete in 17 sports from June 6 to June 17.