Bagus BT Saragih and Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – Many people took it as a joke when rumors began circulating that Democratic Party politician Roy Suryo Notodiprojo was among the candidates for the post of youth and sports minister.

But on Friday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made it clear. It was no joke, Roy was appointed as a minister replacing Andi Mallarangeng, who was named a suspect in the graft-ridden Hambalang sports center project.

"After receiving input and suggestions from the Vice President and other relevant officials, as well as considering the public's wishes, I have appointed Roy to serve as the youth and sports minister," Yudhoyono told a press conference at his office.

"I think Roy is competent to serve in the position. I have also taken his integrity and capacity into account."

The President's assessment was, however, different from that of the people. Comments quickly began pouring in on Thursday following rumors about Roy's candidacy, most of which questioned his competence. The Internet and social media were full of cynical comments when Roy himself hinted he was one of the best choices for Andi's replacement.

"I don't mean to underestimate Roy but his track record in sports is questionable. I don't think he had done anything in the world of sports and youth affairs," said Dedi S. Gumelar, a lawmaker from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

The media frequently quoted Roy as a "computer expert" on digital issues such as photography and video tapes depicting sexual activities involving figures that resembled politicians, despite the fact that he has never attended any information technology-related schools.

Roy's self-claimed expertise has led him to testify in court as a digital expert, but rather than silence his critics, his testimony has only produced more controversy.

In October 2009, for example, Roy testified at a court hearing in which Prita Mulyasari, a career woman, was charged with defamation for complaining about the services of the Omni International Hospital in Tangerang, Banten, via email.

Roy said Prita could not be held responsible for the email's broader circulation as the evidence proved Prita had only sent the message to 20 addresses. "But Prita was still the trigger for the email's spread through the Internet," he added.

In December 2004, Roy told a TV show that 68 percent of all Friendster accounts were fake, claiming that he had received information from an inside source. But the social media site's management denied the statement and said that Roy had never talked to anyone at Friendster.

Roy's controversies have not been limited to issues related to the digital world. In March last year, Roy was kicked off a Lion Air flight for taking seats reserved for two other passengers. Later, Lion Air said that Roy was actually on the wrong flight.

Roy did not attempt to defend himself against the massive opposition to his appointment, simply stating instead that among the tough challenges he would face as a minister would be to prove that all the people underestimating him had been wrong in judging his competence.

"I know that the public has very low expectations of me. I am grateful for such suggestions. Instead, the low level of expectations have made me believe that this job will not be easy, particularly given that my tenure will not be long," he said.

"You know that my background has little to do with the position I will be serving. I am neither a sportsman nor a noted youth figure," he said.

When asked about public's pessimism, State Secretary Sudi Silalahi said, "Don't underestimate him nor judge him based on what meets the eye. Maybe he can perform well at the ministry," he said with laughter.

Roy Suryo Notodiprojo

Born: Yogyakarta, July 18, 1968 Education: Communication Studies at UGM, Public Health at UGM

Experience:

• Guest lecturer at diploma program in communication studies at UGM
• Lecturer of record media art at ISI, Yogyakarta, 1994-2004
• Technology consultant at BNN

Affiliation: Secretary for member training with Democratic Party

[Source: House of Representatives profile, 2009-2014.]