Asked About President Jokowi's Presence During Formula E, Anies Baswedan: Everyone Will Be Welcomed

DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan (Photo: Diah Ayu/VOI)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan was asked to confirm the presence of President Joko Widodo to watch Formula E on Saturday, June 4.

Instead of answering the question of the certainty of Jokowi's arrival, Anies said that everyone would be welcomed when they arrived at the Jakarta E-Prix circuit to watch the race.

"Tomorrow we all have a list of invitees in the past week. So, we will see if it confirms. But basically everyone is invited," said Anies at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Thursday, June 2.

"This is an event everyone will welcome, we hope everything goes smoothly," he continued.

Anies emphasized that Formula E is not a political activity. This electric car racing event, for Anies, is a sporting event organized by the DKI Provincial Government, in collaboration with Formula E Operation and the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI).

"For us the most important thing is that the event goes very well because this is not a political event. This is an opportunity for Indonesia, for Jakarta, to be on the world stage. We hope that everyone who is invited can enjoy, celebrate Jakarta and the world," he explained.

Previously, the Metro Jaya Regional Police (Polda) said President Joko Widodo was scheduled to attend an invitation to watch the Formula E electric car race live at the Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit (JIEC) Ancol, Pademangan, North Jakarta on June 4.

Head of the Operational Bureau of the Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Marsudiyanto said the visit of the Polda team was one of them to review the preparations for securing President Jokowi later.

"God willing, there will be (the president) present, from Paspampres there have also been checks here, later VIPs will be prepared here," said Marsudiyanto on Monday, May 30.

Karo Ops Polda Metro Jaya said the review also involved members of the TNI, particularly the Presidential Security Forces (Paspampres) to check the situation around the Jakarta Formula E International Circuit in the Ancol Dreamland Park area.

"The involvement of the TNI will only be for the security of the president," said Marsudiyanto.