One Of The Teams Competing In Jakarta's Formula E Campaign For LGBT, M. Taufik: We Can't Ban Teams

Photo via Instagram venturiracing

JAKARTA - Member of the DKI Jakarta DPRD from the Gerindra faction, Mohamad Taufik, asked the public on social media not to make an issue about one of the Jakarta Formula E racing teams campaigning for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) symbol in his racing car.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Formula E's success should be shown. After all, he's not campaigning (LGBT) here either. It's stuck to their car," said Taufik when confirmed, Wednesday, June 8.

Taufik said that LGBT orientation in Indonesia is indeed prohibited by moral norms. However, the committee and the organizers of the Jakarta E-Prix also cannot prohibit the identity of each racer team.

"In us, it's not allowed to be LGBT. But we also can't prohibit the racing team from racing here. It's a bit difficult, it's stuck inside of them," said Taufik.

"Besides, the committee definitely doesn't campaign for LGBT. It's prohibited in our country. There's no fuss on social media," he added.

Previously, there was a lot of discussion regarding the support campaign for Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) carried out by one of the teams, namely ROKit Venturi Racing. This can be seen clearly in their uploads on Instagram.

In the upload, the Formula E team displays photos of their cars with colorful flags or rainbows, which are often used as symbols of LGBT.

"For us, June is dedicated to raising voices, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, and showing why we are #PoweredByPride. We are proud to present our exclusive #PrideMonth livery," the caption accompanies the post.

In response to this, Vice President Communications for Formula E Jakarta, Iman Sjafei, admitted that the organizing committee did not know that one of the racing teams was campaigning for LGBT in the race title.

"Oh yeah? We don't even know," said Iman when confirmed by VOI, Tuesday, June 7.

Iman said that the executive committee did not actually take care of this. This is because the LGBT logo in the electric car race on Saturday, June 4 was not campaigned by the organizers or the Formula E Operation as the agency holding the Formula E license.

"We are working with FEO and FEO, there is no problem with that at all. If FEO supports LGBT, or is in the form of sponsoring LGBT supporters, that might still be our consideration. Well, if this is only one team," said Iman.