Difficult Permits, Anies Doesn't Use Monas For Formula E Circuit

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan will not use the National Monument (Monas) area as a Formula E event circuit next year due to licensing issues.

This was revealed by the Managing Director of Jakarta EPIX PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro), Gunung Kartiko, in a meeting with DKI Regional House of Representatives Commission B.

"The venue, which is clearly not at Monas. That's just the clue because Monas seems a bit heavy in terms of licensing. So we are looking for an icon location that really shows Jakarta", said Gunung at the DKI Regional House of Representatives Building, Wednesday, October 6.

Moreover, said Gunung, if you want to make a Monas, it is feared that the circuit made will not be optimal because it uses non-permanent asphalt.

"If Monas used to know, it was non-permanent asphalt", said Gunung.

Therefore, currently, Jakpro has chosen five alternative locations for the implementation of Formula E. However, Gunung does not want to mention where the five locations are. What is clear, the circuit will use the existing road and be re-paved.

"We will try if you use the road, a maximum of three days. It is only an asphalt road, then it has special specifications. Maybe if you turn there is a certain accompaniment, then there are barriers along the way", he explained.

For information, in 2019, Anies Baswedan set Formula E to be held in June 2020. Until early 2020, DKI began to finalize its racing track plan.

Initially, the route that was ogled was around the National Monument. Starting from Medan Merdeka Selatan Street, to the Horse Statue area, enter the southwest entrance of Monas, then enter the Monas area.

After entering the Monas area, turn left to the west side, turn back south, right out through the Southeast entrance of Monas towards Gambir, then pass in front of the US Embassy on Medan Merdeka Selatan Street.

Then, the DKI Provincial Government conducted a trial of asphalting circuits in the east of the National Monument (Monas) area, Central Jakarta. The black asphalt is installed on top of natural stone (cobblestone). This asphalting was protested by the DKI Regional House of Representatives because it was feared that it would damage cultural heritage.

Until finally, the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. Anies was forced to postpone the Formula E event for 2 years. Then, Anies decided that Formula E would be held for 3 years from 2022 to 2024.