When Anies And His Subordinates Are Efficient In Speaking When Asked About The Plan To Hold Formula E

JAKARTA - The plan to organize Formula E is still controversial. DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan wants Formula E to be held in 2022. This was confirmed through Governor's Instruction Number 49 of 2021 concerning the Settlement of Regional Priority Issues in 2021-2022.

In this instruction, there are 28 issues that are the targets of achieving the completion of regional priority issues in 2021-2022. One of the issues on the list is the implementation of Formula E.

Organizing an international racing event which is planned to be held in June 2022, it is clear that preparations are made well in advance. However, Anies was still reluctant to answer when asked about the clarity of Formula E.

In an interview session in his office, Anies replied to Formula E's question with a short laugh. He then quipped reporters before finally leaving the media crew.

"Haha. Look for the title," Anies answered at DKI City Hall, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, September 8.

Not only Anies, his subordinates are also talkative. Yesterday, the Head of the DKI Youth and Sports Agency (Dispora) Achmad Firdaus was silent when asked about Anies' obligation to pay the commitment fee for Formula E for 5 years.

This obligation was once reminded by the Head of the DKI Dispora through a letter sent to Anies in 2019. However, Firdaus did not want to comment. "I don't want to comment on that first. I'll see you later," said Firdaus when met at the DKI City Hall, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, September 15th.

Firdaus also does not want to comment on the potential for international lawsuits against the DKI Provincial Government if the commitment fee for Formula E is not paid. "I didn't comment first," said Firdaus, leaving the media crew.

Likewise with the Regional Secretary of DKI Marullah. When asked about the preparation for the electric car racing event, Marullah did not want to answer.

"I can't comment before, yes. Thank you," said Marullah.

However, Marullah said he was optimistic that Jakarta would be able to hold a Formula E racing event in 2022. "For us, there is no one who is pessimistic," he said.

Marullah said that the implementation of Formula E had become one of the priority issues that must be carried out because it was stated in Ingub Number 49 of 2021. Therefore, even though there was a polemic, the Formula E event was still being pursued.

"The priority of Formula E is in accordance with Ingub. For me it is in accordance with the procedure. Hopefully it can be carried out. Now talks are being held," he added.

Recently, a letter from the Jakarta Youth and Sports Agency (Dispora) was circulated reminding DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to pay off the Formula E commitment fee before his term of office expires in 2022.

This letter was sent on August 15, 2019. In the letter, the DKI Dispora reminded Anies to pay off the obligation to pay the Formula E commitment fee for 5 years to Formula E Operation (FEO).

In details, the 2019/2020 session is £20 million, the 2020/2021 session is £22 million, the 2021/2022 session is £24.2 million, the 2022/2023 session is £26.6 million, and the 2023/2024 session is £29.2 million. The estimated cost to be paid is IDR 2.3 trillion.

So far, Anies has paid a commitment fee paid in 2019 of 20 million pounds sterling, equivalent to IDR 360 billion, a commitment fee in 2020 of 11 million pounds sterling or equivalent to IDR 200 billion, and a bank guarantee of 22 million pounds sterling or IDR 423 billion. The total is almost IDR 1 trillion.

"Based on the results of a study on the draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the DKI Provincial Government and Formula E Limited, there is an obligation that the DKI Provincial Government has to pay in the form of a commitment fee for 5 consecutive years," the letter said.

In accordance with Article 92 Paragraph (6) of Government Regulation (PP) Number 12 of 2019 concerning Regional Financial Management, the budgeting period for multi-year activities does not exceed the end of the year the term of office of the regional head ends, unless the activity is a national priority and/or national strategic interest. This means that Anies must pay a commitment fee for the 5-year Formula E session before his term ends in October 2022. Because, it has been agreed in the MoU.

If Anies violates the agreement, the planned Formula E event will be labeled as a default and can be sued in international arbitration.

"With the signing of the MoU, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government must be able to allocate a budget with the amount agreed. If this obligation cannot be carried out, it will be considered as an act of default which can be sued in international arbitration in Singapore," he wrote.