Unable To Take Part In The Parade Of MotoGP Racers, Jokowi: Not Allowed Because Of Security

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) admitted that he was weak when he found out that he was not allowed to join the parade with MotoGP racers on the DKI Jakarta protocol road. Even so, he understood this to be due to safety reasons.

"I didn't ride a motorbike because it wasn't allowed from a security perspective. So I was weak," said Jokowi at a press conference after releasing the parade of MotoGP riders which was broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube, Wednesday, March 16.

Although he can't parade with Marc Marquez and other MotoGP racers, Jokowi plans to watch the racing event live at the Mandalika Circuit. But he didn't know what day he would be watching live there.

"I will see but maybe only one day. (Racing, ed) Friday, Saturday, Sunday, I only have one day (watching, ed)," he said.

Furthermore, the former Governor of DKI Jakarta said that later the racers who had already paraded on the protocol road would immediately compete at the Mandalika Circuit.

On that occasion, Jokowi said all tickets to watch the international motorcycle racing event were sold out. Seeing this condition, Jokowi said, Indonesia is no longer inferior to other countries.

"Alhamdulillah also that the ticket target that we announced was 60 thousand, thank God all of them have been sold and we have become a new brand, our country that Indonesia now has a MotoGP circuit that is not inferior to other countries," he said.

As previously reported, the MotoGP racers who will compete at the Mandalika Circuit, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) have held a meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta today, Wednesday, March 16.

The meeting between President Jokowi and racers such as Marc Marquez, Joan Mir, Alex Rins, Francesco Bagnaia, Jack Miller, Maverick Vinales, Alex Marquez, and Takaaki Nakagami was held at around 09.30 WIB. In addition to international riders, there are also two Indonesian racers, namely Moto3 rider Mario Aji and Idemitsu Asian Talent Cup racer Veda Ega Pratama.

From the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube show, Jokowi welcomed the racers on the veranda of the Merdeka Palace. He was seen wearing a red jacket produced by Rabbit and Wheels with the words G20, black pants, and sneakers. Don't forget Jokowi is wearing a brown mask.

Meanwhile, the racers appear to be wearing race suits that they will use when paving the Mandalika Circuit.

After talking and taking pictures together, President Jokowi together with the racers headed outside the Merdeka Palace. He released the MotoGP riders who would be parading towards the HI Roundabout.