JAKARTA - The decision of DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to postpone the Formula E event to prevent the spread of COVID-19 was cynically responded to by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menkopolhukam) Mahfud MD. He said, what if it turned out that the reason for the delay was the calculation that the event would not attract audience participation?
"Maybe, it doesn't work (Formula E). Due to the tendency of many people in the world today they want to avoid gathering too many people, such as shows and so on," Mahfud told reporters at the Kemenkopolhukam Office, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Wednesday. , March 11th.
With that condition, Mahfud saw the potential loss if Formula E was forced to be held. Furthermore, Mahfud explained, his opinion on this matter was based on the situation in Jakarta, which was actually not pressed by COVID-19. The former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) is sure that there is no panic even though there have been 32 cases of the spread of COVID-19.
"In my opinion, the security and situation in Jakarta is mediocre, there is no panic. But Pak Anies knows exactly what, panic is normal," he said.
It was reported, previously, Anies officially postponed the implementation of Formula E in Jakarta. This step was taken as an effort to prevent the transmission of the corona virus or COVID-19.
The postponement of Formula E, which was supposed to be held on June 6, was stated in the DKI Governor's Letter Number 117 / -1.857.73. This letter is addressed to the Jakarta E-Prix Organizing Committee on March 9, 2020.
"Because we put health and safety as top priorities, we said that we would postpone the implementation of Formula E in June," said Anies at the City Hall of DKI, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, March 11.
Anies' strong reason for postponing the Formula E event was to prevent more and more citizens from contracting the corona virus. Because, this emission-free car racing competition presents racers and teams from various countries. It is feared that Formula E participants and foreign tourists who will come to Jakarta carry the virus that has spread throughout the world.
Where did the Rp360 billion go?
Forget Mahfud with his ninety. We have more substantive and rational reasons to criticize Anies. For example, about Formula E budget money. Public policy observer Trubus Rahardiansyah said Anies's decision to postpone the Formula E event was actually right, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Moreover, it is still unknown as to how long this outbreak will continue.
"Pak Anies reads that the conditions in the future are quite difficult because in various countries. In fact, the 2020 Japan Olympics was postponed in July," Trubus said when contacted via telephone, Thursday, March 12.
Despite the postponement, Anies must ensure that the money that has been paid by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to the organizers amounting to Rp360 billion as a commitment fee is not forfeited. Because, if that happened, the former Minister of Education could have been dragged into legal trouble.
"The money that has been paid, the fee to FIA Formula E, if it is burned, it could be an abuse of power. This means that he can be dragged into legal trouble, but when the conditions are guaranteed that the money will not be lost there, it means it's just a matter of delay in time," he said .
Meanwhile, for the regional government, Trubus assessed that there was no need for any polemics regarding this postponement. He said the central government should have been able to support Anies' decision.
Given, currently the number of spread of COVID-19 has increased significantly since it was announced for the first time on Monday, March 2. "The central government should support that. Because after all, there should be togetherness between the center and the regions in preventing the expansion of the corona."
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