Jokowi's Unilateral Claim Will Determine The Formula E Circuit Which Anies Immediately Denies

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo is rumored to be determining the location of the Formula E circuit. This news was conveyed by the Chairman of the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI) Bambang Soesatyo and Formula E Co-founder Alberto Longo from Formula E Operation (FEO) as the license holder of Formula E.

This was conveyed in a press conference entitled "IMI Encourages Formula E to Succeed in Indonesia" with the Chairman of the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI) Bambang Soesatyo on Wednesday, November 24.

"We will submit a proposal to the President of Indonesia. He will be the one who will make the decision. Before Christmas it will be announced," said Longo.

Currently, FEO together with the DKI Provincial Government will conduct a survey to the location that is a candidate for the electric car racing circuit. After that, the team will make a feasibility study of the five locations before submitting the proposal to Jokowi.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI) Bambang Soesatyo revealed five selected locations, one of which will be chosen as the Formula E circuit. Bamsoet also confirmed that the location will be determined by Jokowi. JIS, JIEXPO (Kemayoran), and Ancol. We will suggest this to the President to vote," said Bamsoet.

Hearing the news, the special staff of the Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg), Faldo Maldini thought it was a bit strange that President Jokowi had to be involved in the Formula E show.

Faldo then told about the successful international World Superbike celebration held at the Mandalika Circuit. At that time, the celebration did not begin with a meeting between the CEO and President Jokowi.

"It's also strange, after all, we have to meet the President first. We have rules and procedures. That's the measure of us as a state," Faldo said to VOI, Thursday, November 25.

"The Mandalika Superbike yesterday was also not preceded by a meeting between the CEO and the President. Once again, we emphasize that this is the domain of the regional government and the organizers," he continued.

Thursday afternoon DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan denied reports that President Joko Widodo would determine the location of the Formula E circuit based on the five options proposed by the DKI Provincial Government.

In fact, this news was conveyed by the General Chairman of the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI) Bambang Soesatyo and Formula E Co-founder Alberto Longo from Formula E Operations (FEO) as Formula E license holders.

"Nothing. You see, the location is (determined) by the President. Yes, no, really. The location, really, is the President's business?" said Anies at the DKI City Hall, Central Jakarta.

Anies emphasized that the parties that determine the Formula E circuit are the BUMD PT Jakarta Propertindo, Formula E Operation, and IMI based on the results of their studies.

Therefore, Anies admitted that he would ask IMI and related staff of the DKI Provincial Government to straighten out the statement regarding the determination of the Formula E circuit.

"I've already asked. Later IMI will clarify this matter. Time for the location to the President," said Anies.