Jokowi's Review Of Formula E Circuit, PDIP: Just A Formality, Failure To Embarrass The State

President Joko Widodo and Anies Baswedan (Photo: Public Relations of DKI Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - Member of the DKI DPRD PDIP faction, Gilbert Simanjuntak, responded to President Joko Widodo's visit to review the construction of the Formula E circuit in Ancol, yesterday.

According to Gilbert, Jokowi's review of the electric car racing location is just a formality. Even though Jokowi supports Formula E to be held on June 4, Gilbert sees that it cannot be a compliment to the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan.

"Yesterday's presidential visit was just a formality. Don't over-interpret it. What is clear is that Mr. Jokowi's words are not praising, they are flat," Gilbert said in a short message, Tuesday, April 26.

Moreover, Gilbert views that so far the plan to organize Formula E has faced various problems, ranging from the location being moved from Monas to Ancol, the polemic over the interpellation rights, to allegations of corruption being investigated by the KPK.

Because the surah has become a public concern, continued Gilbert, Jokowi felt he had to see firsthand the plan for the Formula E event.

"That's the President's obligation because this issue has garnered a lot of attention. If (the Formula E race) fails, it's a shame for the country. Because the results of renegotiations or the latest MoU have also embarrassed Indonesia," he said.

It is known that on Monday, April 25, Jokowi directly inspected the Formula E circuit. Jokowi arrived at around 15.10 WIB and was greeted by the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan, Pangdam Jaya Major General Untung Budiharto, and Kapolda Metro Jaya Inspector General Pol Fadil Imran.

Anies invited Jokowi to drive around the circuit area using a golf cart. While walking around, Jokowi seemed to occasionally stop to look directly at the paved circuit.

After the review, Jokowi admitted that he was just reviewing the preparations for Formula E which will be held on June 4, 2022.

"I want to see what Formula E preparation looks like on the field. The race track is ready, then the only thing being chased is the paddock and grandstand. There is still time to run out of Eid and we hope that in early June we can see the race," Jokowi said at the location.