Confused In Determining The Formula E Route In Medan Merdeka

Photo illustration of Formula E (Twitter / @ FIAFormulaE)

JAKARTA - The Formula E route in Jakarta has been determined. The Medan Merdeka area, including the National Monument (Monas), is officially a route for electric-powered land jet racing. Interestingly, this decision was taken when the manager of Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) proposed the Formula E route as an alternative route.

The GBK Complex Manager (PPK) was confused. It is nothing. On Friday, February 7, the DKI Provincial Government contacted PPK and asked them to prepare an alternative route for Formula E.

"We ask for the help of all parties to socialize that there will be an E Formula event in the Medan Merdeka area," said Regional Secretary Saefullah at City Hall, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, February 11.

The stipulation of Medan Merdeka - including Monas - as the Formula E route was agreed upon at a meeting of the Steering Committee for the Medan Merdeka Area on Monday, February 10 afternoon. The Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) as Chairman of the Steering Committee has also given the green light to the DKI Provincial Government.

Saefullah said that currently the DKI Provincial Government and PT Jakarta Propertindo (JakPro) as the organizer have started to make preparations, starting from making detailed routes to describing infrastructure.

"Later, it will be explained that cultural heritage is everywhere, what cultural heritage is not everywhere, what model of construction, what impact, it will be detailed later," said Saefullah.

"In April the infrastructure must be completed because there will be trials. So, two months before the event there must be trials," he continued.

GBK has already prepared the route

At the same time, the President Director of PPK GBK Winarto held a press conference regarding the description of the circuit as well as several supporting arenas that were prepared if Formula E was held in the GBK area. When giving his presentation, Winarto had not received any information regarding the decision to organize the emission-free car race back to Monas.

"The track is in principle inside the GBK area and will use the main stadium circle. Those outside will be used halfway out again and half for the pit stop," said Winarto at GBK, Central Jakarta.

The PPK GBK version of the Formula E route (Diah Ayu Wardhani / VOI)

In a question and answer session, VOI journalists asked Winarto about the DKI Provincial Government's decision to close the implementation options at GBK. Winarto only found out about this from the information obtained by journalists.

"If it is true that Monas has, of course we are equally happy because we can watch that too. GBK will definitely accept it. Never mind at Monas, in Kemayoran we offer to help so that it can be accommodated," said Winarto.

Furthermore, Winarto admitted that until now he had not received notification of the cancellation of the option to hold Formula E at GBK. In fact, in recent times, the two of them are still conducting coordination meetings.

"The meeting was early Friday. Then, Saturday and Sunday we still communicate verbally. Monday to Tuesday morning (still holding meetings). The meeting ends at 10," he said.