Ahmad Sahroni Asking SOEs To Sponsor Formula E: It's Not A Matter Of Money But Pride!

Photo: Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - Head of the Organizing Committee, Ahmad Sahroni, explained his reason for asking the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir so that SOEs could sponsor the Formula E event.

This was conveyed by Sahroni during a meet and greet or meet and greet with Formula E drivers in the National Monument (Monas) area.

"I am conveying today about BUMN. Why do people say 'you asked for sponsors yesterday'. This is not a question of money but pride," said Sahroni, Thursday, June 2.

Sahroni revealed that the executive committee asked SOEs to sponsor Formula E because this electric car racing event was held not only to showcase the Jakartans, but also Indonesia.

Remember, the Jakarta E-Prix in Ancol on Saturday, June 4 will be broadcast in 170 countries.

"I am pleading to ask SOEs to join for the sake of the nation and state, not because of other factors. Because I am pleading for SOEs to participate, that Indonesia exists for formula E activities," said Sahroni.

"That BUMN is present for Indonesia. Not Anies or Jakarta, but Indonesia. Do you agree? I welded to BUMN for Indonesia," he continued.

Some time ago, Sahroni had met Erick Thohir directly to provide a proposal for sponsorship. The proposal was submitted on 9 May. However, until now there has been no state-owned company that has agreed to become a sponsor.

Sahroni even gave an insinuation to the Ministry of SOEs that had not provided any sponsorship for the Formula E event.

In his Instagram account, Sahroni said that the committee also paid for electricity supply sourced from PLN. In fact, he said, Formula E was held not only for Jakarta, but also for carrying the name of Indonesia.

"BUMN does not provide any sponsorship. We also pay PLN for electricity in full. Sorry, BUMN is part of the Republic of Indonesia, right?" said Sahroni in the ahmadsahroni88 Instagram account," Thursday, June 2.

"We don't insist on asking for (sponsorship), but we insist on being part of Indonesia," he continued.