Due To COVID-19, Anies Should Have Been Able To Postpone Formula E

DKI DPRD Chairman Prasetio Edi Marsudi. (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan has stopped the permit for organizing crowd events in the future. This is in anticipation of the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

While there is such a policy, DKI DPRD Chairman Prasetio Edi Marsudi urged Anies to postpone the performance of Formula E which would pave on June 6, 2020. Because the three months period before Formula E was held was considered still at risk of increasing the transmission of the corona virus.

"There were around 60 riders who came, but they brought mechanics. The mechanics could reach hundreds of people. We don't know whether he had (corona) or not. To secure Jakarta, Indonesia, (Formula E) must be stopped first," said Prasetio. at the DKI DPRD Building, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, March 3.

The budget for organizing the electric-powered car racing event has indeed been fixed. In the 2020 DKI Regional Budget, Formula E is budgeted for a total of Rp1.6 trillion. A fee of around Rp360 billion as a commitment fee has also been paid to the FIA federation.

But, said Prasetio, DKI could not sacrifice material losses compared to the safety of residents over the spread of the corona virus.

"How come we can stop the budget, we don't spend it all. Losses that have been incurred by him, just report it to the DPRD, our function is like that," said Prasetio.

Separately, DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan still does not want to consider canceling the implementation of Formula E in Jakarta in the next three months. When asked for a response, he did not answer for sure.

"This (the handling of corona) is now, because the condition is urgent," Anies replied briefly.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director of Communications for the Formula E Organizing Committee, Hilbram Dunar, admitted that his party could not decide anything about the consideration of delaying Formula E.

Hilbram said that JakPro's preparations for the implementation of the emission-free car race are still ongoing. Until now, they have determined the paving of the circuit in the National Monument area using geotextile asphalt.

"We have not discussed the (cancellation scenario) further. Now we are still focused on what we will do for June 6. We are still focused on circuit building, preparation of the communications team, the commercial team," Hilbram said.

In addition, Hilbram admitted that the Formula E Operations (FEO) and the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) are still monitoring the condition of corona virus transmission as a consideration for the continuation of the implementation of Formula E in Jakarta.

"Our hope is of course this can be resolved soon. The most important thing is to prioritize the health and safety of residents. But for the continuation, we will continue to communicate with related parties," Hilbram concluded.