What's Up With Formula E Plan? It Turned Out That BPK Noted If Anies Had Spent Almost IDR 1 Trillion

Formula E Racing (Instagram/@fiaformulae)

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Representative Financial Audit Agency (BPK) reports the results of audits of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government's financial transactions from 2019 to 2020. One of the things being examined is the Formula E program transaction.

In the audit results issued on 19 June 2020, the BPK noted that the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan has paid a commitment fee and a Bank Guarantee of nearly IDR1 trillion.

"Based on research on financial transactions related to the implementation of Formula E, it is known that payments made to FEO are worth GBP53,000,000 or the equivalent of Rp. 983,310,000,000," said Head of BPK Representative Office for DKI Jakarta Pemut Aryo Wibowo, as quoted by VOI from the audit report on Friday, March 19.

In detail, there is a commitment fee paid in 2019 worth IDR 360 billion. Furthermore, in 2020, the paid commitment fee is equivalent to IDR 200.3 billion. Then, the Bank Guarantee that is paid is worth IDR 423 billion.

Pemut explained that initially Formula E was held on June 6, 2020. Unfortunately, during the preparation for the first season, Indonesia was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The COVID-19 pandemic is a force majeure condition, causing the Governor of DKI Jakarta to postpone the implementation of Formula E season one," said Pemut.

Then, Anies again postponed the implementation of formula E this year. This was confirmed by the Corporate Communication Manager of PT. Jakarta Propertindo, Melisa Sjach.

Melisa said the Formula E event which has now been postponed twice is due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Jakarta. Melisa said that DKI had to hit the case first, before the environmentally friendly car racing event was continued.

"This step is an initiative as well as a response to input from stakeholders to ensure mutual safety as a priority. The reason for this delay includes the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the capital," said Melisa.

However, Melissa guarantees that the commitment fee or down payment paid annually to the International Automotive Federation (FIA) is not forfeited. So, DKI can still continue the Formula E title if it is ready.

"It is certain that the commitment fee funds will not be lost. We will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with FEO to see the possibility of rescheduling at the first opportunity," he said.