PTPP Mandalika Circuit Ready For World Class Racing, Jokowi: Will Become A New Economic Growth Point In NTB

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). (Photo: Doc. PTPP)

JAKARTA - The construction BUMN, PT PP (Persero) Tbk (PTPP), attended the inauguration of the Mandalika Circuit located in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (KEK), Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province.

The inauguration ceremony was inaugurated directly by President Joko Widodo which was symbolically marked by the signing of the inscription. The Mandalika Circuit inauguration ceremony which was held on Friday 12 November was also attended by the Chairman of the MPR RI Bambang Soesatyo, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Minister of Trade M. Lutfi.

Also attended by the Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono, Governor of West Nusa Tenggara Zulkieflimansyah, President Director of PTPP Novel Arsyad, Director of Operations for Infrastructure PTPP Yul Ari Pramuraharjo, President Director of PT ITDC Abdulbar M. Mansoer, and other officials.

Before carrying out the inauguration of the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, President Joko Widodo together with four Indonesian racers in the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup event tested the main track by riding an RI 1 racing motorbike.

With the inauguration of the Mandalika Circuit which has been built by PTPP, it is ready to be used for world-class racing events, one of which is the World Superbike (WSBK) event which will be held on 19-21 November.

PTPP can contribute to the construction of the Mandalika Circuit. The company was able to complete the construction of the main track of the circuit on time in accordance with the international quality standards of the Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM) with a class A circuit category commonly used in grand prix.

The asphalt also applies the best special asphalt mixture in the world which is commonly used for racing circuits, namely Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA), which is currently only used in four circuits, one of which is the Mandalika Circuit.

With the construction of the Mandalika Circuit, PTPP has contributed to improving the economy in Indonesia, especially in the Lombok area. Where the presence of the racing circuit will certainly increase the attractiveness of foreign and domestic tourists to come to Lombok.

The high interest of tourists visiting the area will certainly have a major impact on several sectors, such as increasing hotel or lodging income and stimulating commercial areas and restaurants. Not only that, with the high interest in visiting tourists to the Lombok area, it will certainly increase the income of transportation companies both land, sea, and air.

Thanks to the quality produced in its construction, the Mandalika Circuit project received three record awards from MURI, namely: Asphalt Using BIM Technology with the Most Volume, Construction of the FIM Standard First Circuit, and Construction of the Fastest Circuit Track.

The circuit track built by PTPP is the first Moto GP circuit in Indonesia that has the smoothest asphalting results thanks to the technology used in its construction.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and SOE Minister Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. PTPP)

As a state-owned company engaged in the construction sector, PTPP continues to provide the best legacy for the Indonesian people by not only building ordinary circuits but also circuits that can have a maximum impact on Indonesia.

The Mandalika Circuit, which is located in Indonesia, will be increasingly recognized by foreign countries. PTPP hopes that the presence of the Mandalika Circuit will attract the interest and attention of world racers to try the best racing circuits in Indonesia today.

"The Mandalika circuit with a circuit length of 4.3 kilometers, with the latest asphalt technology, stone mastic asphalt (SMA), has also been completed and is ready to be used. Another event will be held, namely World Superbike 2021 and will be continued later in March 2022 with MotoGP," said President Jokowi in his remarks.

The President also reminded that the implementation of international events at the Mandalika Circuit still pays attention to health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Once again, the health protocols are strict and I have ordered to be accompanied by the Task Force so that the management of each event continues to maintain the health protocol," added President Jokowi.

The Head of State hopes that the Mandalika Circuit can also bring up new points of economic growth in the NTB Province. The President believes that major international events such as the World Superbike and MotoGP will have a significant impact on economic growth in the region.

"I think this is a big event that will continue to be held every year at the Mandalika Circuit and it will certainly have an impact on economic growth in the NTB Province," concluded Jokowi.

Meanwhile, PTPP President Director Novel Arsyad said that his party would like to thank the government for being trusted to build the main track of the Mandalika Circuit which will be used in various world-class events.

"We hope that the implementation of the WSBK activity which will be held on November 19-21 will be successful and attract the interest of both domestic and international tourists so that in the future it can help improve the Indonesian economy," said Novel.