When Formula E Still Has No Sponsors Even Though February A Circuit Must Be Built

JAKARTA - The claim that the DKI Provincial Government will no longer use the APBD and attract sponsors to organize Formula E makes DPRD curious. Yesterday, Commission B of the DKI DPRD summoned the ranks of the BUMD PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) to ask for certainty about the funding of Formula E.

In the working meeting, the Managing Director of Formula E PT Jakpro, Gunung Kartiko explained that currently in the process of selecting a contractor tender for construction.

Although, the auction tender for the circuit construction was declared a failure on the Jakpro e-procurement site, it is targeted that in early February the winner of the tender has been determined, so that the circuit construction will be carried out immediately.

"God willing, in early February there will be a winner and it has started. Our target is three months. So February, March, April, it is hoped that it will be completed and the implementation will still be in June," said Gunung.

Gunung explained that the implementation of the Formula requires a cost of IDR 150 billion. Part of the budget has been used to purchase equipment for the construction needs of the track construction.

"The total track construction fund is around IDR 150 billion. Some of it, around IDR 70 billion, has been used to buy track equipment since 2019," said Gunung.

The DPRD again asked about Jakpro's plan to cover the costs for the implementation. Gunung replied, this fund will be obtained from the sponsor.

However, the "follower" of the Governor of DKI Anies Baswedan admitted that at this time the sponsorship funds to cover the lack of costs for the Formula E event had not yet arrived. He also admitted that there was no official sponsorship agreement.

"We will close the plan from sponsorship and partnership. So, we haven't officially opened sponsorship yet. However, verbally, it's a networking approach for those who are interested, although we can't declare (announce) here yet, because there is no black and white yet," Gunung explained.

Member of Commission B DPRD DKI Manuarai Siahaan responded to Gunung's explanation. He admitted that he was surprised because it turned out that no funds had been obtained from the sponsors. In fact, the funds are needed to pay for the circuit construction contract to the company that won the tender.

"Earlier I asked, has the money come in yet? You said no. Next week you will determine the winner of the track construction project, but the money is not yet available. I ask again, sir, don't get me wrong. You can't sign the contract if the money isn't available, sir. Please straighten it out," said Manuara.

Gunung replied, for the time being, Jakpro has a bailout of IDR 50 billion, which comes from their corporate funds. "So, there are corporate funds in cash," said Gunung.

"So, I make sure that around IDR 50 billion to build the track is there? Is it available? Tomorrow we will check the money," said Manuara.