Anies Denies Claims That The Formula E Circuit Has Been Determined By Jokowi, Bamsoet: Where Is The Fault?

MPR Chairman Bambang Soesatyo (Photo: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI) Bambang Soesatyo clarified the claim that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will determine the location of the Formula E circuit which will be held in June 2022.

Bamsoet explained that the party who wishes to involve Jokowi in the implementation of Formula E, especially in choosing the location of the circuit is the Formula E license holder himself, namely the Chief Championship Formula E Operations (FEO) Alberto Longo.

"Yesterday, Alberto Longo as Co-Founder and Chief Championship Formula E Operations (FEO), hoped to meet President Joko Widodo at the request of Governor Anies Baswedan. To ask for directions regarding which location is the most appropriate for the location of the Formula-E circuit considering this is an event international, where did it go wrong?" said Bamsoet in his statement, Friday, November 26.

Bamsoet considered that Longo's wish should be appreciated. Because, according to him, the president's involvement is a form of respect for the FEO to the Formula E host country.

"In fact, I think it is a form of respect for Alberto to the President as he has done in several countries," said Bamsoet.

Previously, Formula E Co-founder Alberto Longo from Formula E Operation (FEO) as the license holder of Formula E said the exact location of the Formula E circuit would be decided by President Joko Widodo.

"We will submit a proposal to the President of Indonesia. He will be the one who will make the decision. Before Christmas it has been announced," said Longo, Wednesday, November 24.

In addition, Bamsoet revealed five selected locations, one of which will be chosen as the circuit for the Formula E event. Bamsoet also confirmed that the location will be determined by Jokowi.

"The five locations are Pantai Indah Kapuk, Sudirman (area), JIS, JIEXPO (Kemayoran), and Ancol. We will suggest this to the President to vote," said Bamsoet.

Until finally, DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan asked the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI) chaired by Bambang Soesatyo to clarify the news that the Formula E circuit was determined by President Joko Widodo.

"I already asked. Later IMI will clarify this matter," said Anies.

Anies also denied that President Joko Widodo would determine the location of the Formula E circuit based on the five options proposed by the DKI Provincial Government.

Anies emphasized that the parties that determine the Formula E circuit are the BUMD PT Jakarta Propertindo, Formula E Operation, and IMI based on the results of their studies.

"Nothing. You see, the location is (determined) by the President. Yes, no, really. Why is the location a matter for the President?" said Anies.