Abandoned MotoGP Spectators, NTB Governor Apologizes: His Name Is Also The First Event There Must Be Imperfections

Governor of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), H Zulkieflimansyah. (ANTARA/Nur Imansyah).

MATARAM - Governor of West Nusa Tenggara H Zulkieflimansyah apologized to all MotoGP spectators, following the absence of shuttle buses at Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, causing thousands of spectators to be stranded until midnight on Sunday, March 20.

"We apologize if it is not completely perfect as we planned," said Zulkieflimansyah in Mataram, as reported by Antara, Monday, March 21.

Zulkieflimansyah understands what the audience is complaining about, after the MotoGP was held at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit. However, according to the governor, the committee has worked optimally in arranging bus routes to drop off and pick up spectators.

"It's also called the first event, even though we've tried our best, there will be imperfections," he said.

The governor admitted that what happened after the Mandalika MotoGP, actually happened when the MotoGP was held at the Sentul Circuit. In fact, he said, what happened in Sentul was even worse than what happened at Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit.

"I myself was a witness to history when I was in Sentul and it was worse than yesterday. I don't mean to apologize, but we didn't expect that many private vehicles. So if there is enthusiasm on the third day, especially what we saw on TV, it's natural to explode. like that," said Bang Zul, the nickname of the Governor of NTB.

As a result, due to traffic jams, buses that should be able to run fast become stuck in traffic and are slow. Not to mention the quality of the old buses, jammed in the middle of the road, making the situation worse.

"What is clear is that this will be our record, the buses that serve must not be old. We will check this in the future. We also cannot nag the officers who have worked optimally. But hopefully this will be a good fedback for the next event, such as the WSBK in November 2022 and this is a pretty good record, especially since this contract is 10 years, there will definitely be an increase every year," he said.

Previously, spectators at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia were still stranded until midnight Sunday, so they couldn't go home, because no bus came to pick them up.

According to information compiled by journalists, the audience, who were dominated by residents of Mataram City and outside the area, went to watch the MotoGP race at the Mandalika Circuit by bus from the former Selaparang Airport to the west parking lot or the Nurul Bilad Mosque.

After the race, the spectators came out to wait for the bus to pick up, but no one came, so they had to walk to the west parking lot.

Sandi, a resident of Mataram City, said he left the circuit area on foot at around 19:00 WITA. After that, he walked to the parking area with other spectators, because there were no buses.

After walking for a long time, he took another driver who was passing by towards the west parking area. However, after arriving there until 23.51 WITA no bus came to pick up the spectators to be taken to the former Selaparang Airport.

"Many of my friends are still waiting at the Nurul Bilad Mosque, there is no bus yet. They have to go home at night," said Sandi in Mandalika.

The Mandalika Regional Police Chief, AKP Dimas, confirmed that the MotoGP event spectators were still stranded in the western parking area.

Previously, the traffic flow on the highway in front of the Mandalika Circuit was completely jammed, some vehicles seemed to be moving slowly, so officers had to work extra to regulate traffic flow so that it was normal.

In addition, some spectators had to walk to the parking area, because the shuttle bus was also stuck in traffic.