PKS Party Refuses To Hire Rain Handler At Formula E Like The Mandalika MotoGP: It's Modern Times, That's Irrational!

Raden Roro Istiati Wulandari's action against the rain at the Mandalika MotoGP (Twitter via @MotoGP)

JAKARTA - The chairman of the PKS Party faction of the DKI Jakarta Regional Representative Council (DPRD), Achmad Yani, admitted that he did not want the implementation of Formula E in Jakarta to use the services of a rain handler like the MotoGP organizers in Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

"Inviting rain handlers is irrational and Formula E does not need it. Don't (inviting rain handlers for Formula E)," Yani said when contacted, Monday, March 21.

Yani sees that the DKI Provincial Government can strive for a smooth event by utilizing weather modification technology. Not to forget, it was added with a prayer for the weather to be supportive when the electric car racing event was held on June 4, 2022.

"We, in modern times like this, of course we use rationality when it rains. It means that we can use modern technology and pray further," he explained.

During the MotoGP event, the world's eyes also focused on the action of Raden Roro Istiati Wulandari or who is called Rara. Rara who entered the Mandalika Circuit and performed a ritual to ward off the rain when it rained just before the race was held.

The MotoGP party, via their Twitter account, also uploaded a video showing Rara performing a ritual by holding a golden cup, a small stick, and incense in her hands.

"The master ...," wrote the @MotoGP account on Sunday, March 20.

In response to this, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono, emphasized that Rara's presence was not at the request of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and his entourage, but was an initiative of tourism managers.

Although, according to information circulating, Rara is a rain handler who was once recruited by Jokowi when he held a campaign event as a presidential candidate.

"Of course, the ITDC (Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation) is trying as much as possible. Maybe to make the rain subside. Not from Jokowi's side who asked for it," said Heru in a short message.