Jokowi Gives The Impression Of Watching Formula E: Good For Our Country

Jokowi was accompanied by Anies Baswedan when he arrived at the Ancol Circuit (Photo: Laily Rachev - Setpres Press Bureau)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo gave an impression after watching live the Formula E racing title at the Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit (JIEC), Ancol, North Jakarta. Jokowi said he was grateful that the race could be held smoothly.

Jokowi said, Formula E is a progressive racing event. This is because a number of countries are currently trying to intensify the use of electric vehicles.

"I think this is a future event because we know that there will be a shift from cars that are now a lot of people to use electric cars," said Jokowi at the location, Saturday, June 4.

Jokowi also views that the electric car race has a positive impact on Indonesia. This is because the government is currently planning to build an electric battery ecosystem.

"This is a spectacle that in the future, in my opinion, will be increasingly popular and this is also good for our country, because we want to build an electric battery ecosystem, starting from nickel, raw materials, smelters, lithium battery industry, then electric cars," he said.

Previously, President Jokowi arrived at the Formula E circuit at 14.09 western Indonesia time to witness the Formula E racing title firsthand, wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and black trousers.

When he arrived, the former governor of DKI Jakarta was greeted by DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, Head of the Formula E Executive Committee Ahmad Sahroni, Formula E Co-Founder Alberto Longo, Chairman of the MPR Bambang Soesatyo, and Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno, before entering the VVIP room.

Prior to the start of the race, Jokowi had entered the race track to witness the readiness of the racers before heading to the starting line. The racing procession begins with singing together with the national anthem Indonesia Raya. Jokowi then returned to the Royal Box to wait for the Formula E race to start.

Also attending were Chair of the MPR RI Bambang Soesatyo, Chair of the DPR RI Puan Maharani, Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of ATR/Head of BPN Sofyan Djalil, Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah, and National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo.