Jakarta Deputy Governor: Whether Or Not There Is Formula E, We Will Still Revitalize Monas

Testing of asphalting the Formula E circuit at Monas (DOC VOI/Diah Ayu)

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria emphasized that the DKI Provincial Government will still complete the revitalization of Monas even though Formula E will not be held in the area.

Some time ago, it was thought that the revitalization of Monas was carried out to support the implementation of Formula E. However, Riza said that the revitalization of Monas was a separate activity from the Formula E event.

"We will continue to revitalize the Monas, whether there is Formula E or not. The DKI Provincial Government continues to beautify and revitalize Monas," said Riza at City Hall, Central Jakarta, Thursday, October 7.

Riza explained the reason why the DKI Provincial Government did not hold Formula E at Monas. Apparently, the central government did not allow an electric car racing event at Monas because it was in the ring 1 area.

"Monas is ring 1. From the central government it is not possible (Formula E to be held) there," he said.

Previously, Managing Director of Jakarta EPIX PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro), Gunung Kartiko said that the DKI Provincial Government will not use the National Monument (Monas) area as a Formula E circuit next year due to licensing issues.

"Obviously the venue is not at Monas. That's the clue, because Monas seems a bit heavy in terms of licensing. So we are looking for an icon location that shows Jakarta," said Gunung.

Moreover, said Gunung, if you want to make a Monas, it is feared that the circuit made will not be optimal because it uses non-permanent asphalt.

"Monas is used to be known, the asphalt was damaged," said Gunung.

Stepping back, in 2019, DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan determined that Formula E would be held in June 2020. Until early 2020, DKI began finalizing its racing track plan.

Initially, the potential route was around the National Monument. Starting from South Medan Merdeka Street, to the Horse Statue area, enter the southwest entrance of Monas, then enter the Monas area.

After entering the Monas area, turn left to the west side, turn back south, right out through the Southeast entrance of Monas towards Gambir, then pass in front of the US Embassy on South Medan Merdeka Street.

Then, the DKI Provincial Government conducted a trial of asphalting circuits in the east of the National Monument (Monas) area, Central Jakarta. The black asphalt is installed on top of natural stone (cobblestone). This asphalting was protested by the DKI DPRD because it was feared that it would damage cultural heritage.

Simultaneously, the DKI Provincial Government has also begun to revitalize Monas. This activity was opposed by the DKI DPRD for cutting down hundreds of trees in the eastern area of Monas.

Until finally, the COVID-19 pandemic hit since March 2020. Anies was forced to postpone the Formula E event for 2 years. Then, Anies decided that Formula E would be held for 3 years from 2022 to 2024.