Doubtful That Formula E Can Get Sponsors, Chairman Of DKI DPRD: People Don't Have Money Now

Chairman of the DKI Jakarta DPRD Prasetio Edi Marsudi (Instagram photo @prasetyoedimarsudi)

JAKARTA - The DKI Provincial Government is in the midst of searching for sponsors to be able to hold Formula E without burdening the regional budget (APBD) of DKI Jakarta Province.

The effort to find sponsors for this electric-powered car racing event is an instruction from the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan to the Regional-owned Enterprises (BUMD) organizer, PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro).

However, the chairman of the DKI Jakarta Regional Representative Council (DPRD), Prasetio Edi Marsudi, doubts that Formula E can get a sponsor. The current economic condition is weakening due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Who has money? Now people have no money", Prasetio told reporters, Thursday, August 26.

Moreover, the current Formula E plan in Jakarta is shrouded in uncertainty. The manager of Formula E in New York, United States (US), released a temporary calendar of the implementation of Formula E in 2022 without the name Jakarta as the host.

"The question is whether his commitment to the FIA has been completed or not? That is the question that must be explored", said Prasetio.

Pras, as he is known, said that currently, the regional budget is in deficit. The pandemic requires the government to spend more specifically on dealing with COVID-19. Moreover, the current regional revenue is jammed.

In the midst of uncertainty, Pras doubts that DKI can get a sponsor who can cover the costs of the implementation other than the APBD.

"This is a professional race, boss. It's impossible to mess around and this is international and runs everywhere. Now, the problem is that we are in a budget deficit", he said.

President Director of PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) Dwi Wahyu Daryoto hopes that DKI will get a sponsor for Formula E, which is planned to be held in 2022.

This is in response to the recommendation of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) in DKI's 2019 financial report, which asks the DKI Provincial Government to seek funding sources other than the APBD in organizing Formula E.

"God willing, next year there will be a sponsor (to fund Formula E)", said Dwi on Monday, August 23.

In fact, said Dwi, Jakpro had already started looking for parties who were willing to participate as sponsors of the electric car racing event from the beginning of planning before The Supreme Audit Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK) recommendation appeared.

"We've been doing it for a long time, we've always been looking for sponsorships before it was postponed", said Dwi.