SOE Minister Erick Thohir: MotoGP Mandalika Strengthens Indonesian Tourism In The Eyes Of The World

Illustration (doc. between)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), Erick Thohir, said that the MotoGP event which was held in Mandalika, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), was an opportunity for Indonesia to strengthen its brand as a tourism country in the world.

"This is our opportunity to strengthen our national brand in the eyes of the world as a tourism country," Erick wrote, quoted from his official Instagram @erickthohir, Tuesday, March 8.

Erick hopes that the success of the MotoGP event in Mandalika, Lombok, NTB will be a good thing in building the perception of Indonesia in the eyes of the world.

"That we continue to promote world events in Indonesia," he said.

Erick also expressed his appreciation for the teamwork and collaboration of SOEs to make this event the pride of Indonesia successful. Starting from initiating, preparing infrastructure, sponsorship support to implementation.

In addition, Erick also expressed his gratitude for the high public interest in supporting the 2022 Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia (MotoGP) motorcycle race in Mandalika, Lombok, NTB.

Furthermore, Erick explained that the high public interest came from individuals, communities and even corporations.

"Alhamdulillah, where the tickets for the main MotoGP are sold out," he said.

Watching MotoGP doesn't need a COVID-19 test

PPKM Outside Java-Bali Coordinator Airlangga Hartanto said that watching the MotoGP event at Mandalika did not need to use the results of the COVID-19 health test, both antigen and PCR. However, this rule applies to spectators who have received a full dose of COVID-19 vaccination.

Furthermore, Airlangga said that the regulation applies to all viewers, both from within the country and abroad.

"The requirement to watch it is for those who have been vaccinated twice from anywhere, from within the country and abroad, and who have been vaccinated twice, then they will enter the circuit without any PCR or antigen tests again," he said in a virtual press conference, Monday, March 7th.

The decision, said Airlangga, was in accordance with the direction of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). The decision was also taken based on the consideration that the second dose of vaccination in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) was already at the 70 percent level.

In fact, Airlangga continued, NTB was the only province out of 34 provinces with level 1 status. However, in order to overcome the spread during the implementation of MotoGP matches, the government also reduced the audience quota from 200,000 to 60,000 spectators.

"From the audience of 200,000 yesterday, we have lowered it to 60,000 and I said earlier that 60,000 tickets were sold out. Everything was bought on the third day of the race," he explained.