Optimistic DKI Provincial Government Vs Pessimistic DPRD About Formula E

Location of Formula E/Photo: VOI

JAKARTA - It has been revealed that until now Formula E has not received confirmation of a sponsor. This makes the DPRD DKI doubtful that this electric car racing event can be held smoothly. However, the DKI Provincial Government is still confident that they are capable of running it.

Jakarta DPRD Commission B on Monday, January 24, questioned the BUMD PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) regarding the plan to organize Formula E which will be held in five months. In this commission meeting, it was revealed that Jakpro had not yet held funds for the construction of the Formula E circuit, which was rumored to have come from sponsors.

Initially, the DPRD asked about Jakpro's plan to cover the costs for the implementation. Managing Director of Formula E Jakpro, Gunung Kartiko replied, these funds will be obtained from the sponsor. He said, no sponsorship agreement has been officially made.

"We will close the plan from sponsorship and partnership. So, we haven't officially opened sponsorship yet. However, verbally, it's a networking approach for those who are interested, although we can't declare (announce) here yet, because there is no black and white yet," he explained. Gunung.Anggata Commission B of the DKI DPRD, Manuarai Siahaan, responded to Gunung's explanation. He admitted that he was surprised because it turned out that no funds had been obtained from the sponsors. In fact, these funds are needed to pay for the circuit construction contract to the company that won the tender. Gunung replied, for the time being, Jakpro has a bailout amounting to IDR 50 billion, which comes from their corporate funds. "So, there are corporate funds in cash," said Gunung.

Doubtful DPRD

The chairman of the DKI DPRD, Prasetyo Edi Marsudi, is pessimistic that Formula E can be held when there are only four months left, sponsors have not been signed, tenders have not been decided, and the circuit has not been built.

As Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Mandalika Circuit for MotoGP, Prasetyo views that the construction of the circuit from February to April as the target of PT Jakarta Propertindo BUMD is irrational.

"I'm an Advisor Consultant to Mandalika, I know. Making a race track is not like making a Tamiya track. It's irrational to build 3 months. The rationale is 2 years, boss. It has to be mature," said Prasetyo.

DKI Provincial Government Optimism

President Director of BUMD PT Jakarta Propertindo admitted that he is optimistic that the construction of the Formula E circuit can run on time in early February.

Although, at this time the tender process for the construction of the electric car racing track was repeated because it was previously declared a failure.

"The re-auction has been held at the beginning of this week. Hopefully it will meet expectations and be tracked according to the timeline," said Widi in a short message, Wednesday, January 26.

During the construction of the circuit, Widi said that the FIA and FEO as the license holder of Formula E also directly supervised it.

Widi also predicts that the construction of the circuit, which is located in the Ancol area, North Jakarta, will be completed in April. So, in May the circuit testing process can be carried out.

"God willing, it will be inspected from Formula E Operation (FEO)," he said.