Supporting SOEs Not To Become Formula E Sponsors, DPR Members: If All The Governor's Activities Ask For SOEs Sponsors, That's Nodong

Formula E Circuit in Ancol (Photo via @DHL_Motorsports)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission VI of the DPR, Deddy Y Sitorus, said that there is no obligation for BUMN to become a sponsor for the Formula E electric car race, in Ancol, Saturday, June 4 tomorrow.

"There are many considerations for sponsorship activities. Especially, such as the link between the types of activities and the spectrum of the audience, the target with the business or SOE products themselves," said Deddy Y Sitorus, Friday, June 3.

The most important thing, he said, is that sponsorships with large costs always involve SOEs related to the organizers of the activities since the beginning of planning. It's different if it's just a contribution, financing support, product placement or logo. "So I think it's strange that before the implementation, the Formula-E committee throws a polemic about the absence of sponsorship from SOEs," said Deddy as quoted by Antara.

This sponsorship discourse has been continuously discussed in various mass media and social media reports. Instead, he questioned whether the SOEs targeted by the Formula-E committee from the beginning were invited to talk about the sponsorship business concept.

"For example, if what is meant is state-owned banking companies, were they offered as ticket marketers from the start or the placement of their logos on all those commemorative items or Formula-E racing arenas?" he said. He gave another example of PT Pertamina, whether it was asked to become a certain sponsor by using products produced by PT Pertamina, such as lubricating oil made by this BUMN. If not, it will be difficult for SOEs to participate as sponsors because the calculations are clear business and there are rules.

According to him, it is not appropriate if within one month, let alone two days before the event, the new committee complains about sponsorship.

He compared it to the Mandalika MotoGP racing committee, where SOEs were involved from the start, and even those who took the lead in the business design of the event, were from state-owned tourism, banking to PT Pertamina.

"So, why is this Formula E suddenly asking SOEs to become sponsors with the excuse that SOEs are present for Indonesia. From the beginning the Formula-E celebration was purely the desire of the governor of DKI, which was designed using the APBD. If every governor and regional head in Indonesia made an activity then before the activity is carried out, ask BUMN to be a sponsor, that's called nodong," he said.

Therefore, he asked the Formula-E committee not to build a negative discourse to cover up their inability to raise funds.

"But if the funds are sufficient, don't force SOEs to become sponsors, but only as donors or contributors, that only makes sense," he said.