Sudirman-Thamrin Is Glanced To Be Formula E Route

JAKARTA - The DKI Provincial Government and Formula E Operations Limited (FEO) have started exploring roads in Jakarta to find alternative routes for the event. This was done after the Monas area was banned from becoming the route for the race.

Head of the DKI Jakarta Highways Agency, Hari Nugroho, said that based on the results of the review conducted this afternoon, the protocol road was glimpsed as an alternative circuit for the electric-powered car race.

"The options are along Jalan Sudirman and Thamrin, and take a little turn to Gelora Bung Karno," Hari said when contacted, Friday, February 7.

However, this option is not certain to become a Formula E circuit because there is no official decision yet.

Hari continued, the length of the circuit that will be used for the implementation of Formula E is around 2.9 kilometers to 3.2 kilometers. The alternative route meets the track standards set by the International Automotive Federation (FIA).

"Our racing track uses grade three, meaning that our arterial roads or protocols have met the standards," said Hari.

Previously, the Minister of State Secretary as the Free Medan Area Steering Commission did not approve of the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan to hold Formula E through the National Monument (Monas) area.

"There are many variable factors, such as the number of turns, the level of difficulty, and the limit of kilometers because (car fuel) uses batteries," said Anies, Thursday, February 6.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Ministry of State Secretariat Setya Utama said that the main reason for the State Secretary as the Head of the Steering Committee to prohibit DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan from holding the electric car race was because Monas was a cultural heritage.

"The Steering Committee does not approve if it is carried out in the Monas area. There are many considerations. There is a cultural heritage there, then there is asphalting," said Setya, Wednesday, February 5.

Kemensetneg has not formally conveyed the prohibition by means of a written letter. The reason is, said Setya, this decision was only discussed at the meeting yesterday which mainly discussed the revitalization of Monas.

However, Kemensetneg still supports the implementation of Formula E. "It is permitted, but outside the Monas area," he said.

For information, Formula E is the second most popular racing tournament after Formula 1. The difference with Formula 1 is that Formula E already uses an electric powered engine so it is emission-free. Later this speeding action will be held on a highway that has been converted into a temporary circuit.

Various preparations were immediately carried out, including preparing the track for the Formula E racing event. This racing event will be held on June 6, 2020. The plan is that this event will be held for 5 consecutive years.

In order to be able to hold Formula E, the DKI Provincial Government has proposed the DKI budget in the APBD to reach around Rp1.6 trillion. In detail, there is a budget of IDR 360 billion for the commitment fee to the Formula E federation.

In addition, a budget of Rp. 934 billion was disbursed for organizing funds which will be managed by the Jakarta Education and Sports Agency (Dispora). Separately, DKI BUMD, namely PT Jakarta Propertindo (JakPro), also requires a budget of IDR 305.2 billion for the cost of implementing it.