Anies Targets Reclaimed Island For Circuit, PDIP Party: Is Formula E Pro Environmental Or Not?

DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan (Photo: @aniesbaswedan)

JAKARTA - The DKI Provincial Government is looking at reclamation islands as an option for the Formula E circuit. Member of the PDIP Party faction of the DKI Regional Representative Council (DPRD), Gilbert Simanjuntak, thinks that this is not appropriate.

Gilbert questioned Anies' commitment to environmental control if he held Formula E on a reclaimed island.

"Now, after Monas failed to become a venue, there is an option to choose an island as a result of reclamation. This is disturbing, is Formula E actually pro-environmental or not?" Gilbert said in a text message, Monday, October 11.

Gilbert alluded to the research results of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) which stated that Jakarta was one of the cities experiencing intensive land subsidence.

Land subsidence in Jakarta is caused by four main factors, namely compaction of rock that is not solid due to alluvial and clay deposits, excess groundwater extraction, building loading, and tectonic activity.

The research, continued Gilbert, raises concerns because the soil structure on the reclaimed island is still young. Because, there will be compaction until a certain time limit, so that the soil surface tends to decrease.

"Isn't the governor aware of the results of the BRIN research, that land subsidence with reclamation islands is also one of the most affected because of the soil structure?" peck him.

This confusion, Gilbert said, occurred because the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, had never explained the plans for the implementation of Formula E openly, from the agreement with the FEO to the feasibility study.

"Is this Formula E aimed at promoting tourism, and which tourism is going to be sold to foreign parties/tourists? The people's money that has already been spent IDR 560 billion will be obtained by the people in what form? Until now the Governor has never explained this Formula E openly and transparently," he said.

Previously, Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahmad Riza Patria, leaked one of the locations that became an option for the implementation of Formula E, after canceling the location at Monas. One of the five locations that are alternatives to the Formula E circuit is the reclamation island, namely Pulau D or Pantai Maju and Pulau G or Pantai Bersama.

In addition, the Senayan area is also one of the choices for the electric car racing circuit.

"Earlier, the Director of Jakpro said it was not at Monas, there are five alternatives that will be checked later. There are various kinds, including in Senayan, at Maju Beach, (Beach) Bersama, and others," said Riza on Wednesday, October 6.