TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi said the development of the Mandalika special economic zone including the construction of a MotoGP circuit in Kuta village, Central Lombok regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), was running well and with high standards.

“First, I would like to see the development progress in Mandalika. It turns out to be good, the progress is well,” said the president while inspecting the Mandalika SEZ, Friday, May 17.

State officials accompanying the president in his Lombok visit were Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, NTB Governor H Zulkieflimansyah, and Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) director Abdulbar M. Mansoer.

Read: Mandalika Vs Singapore's MotoGP Circuit

The president also assessed that the construction of supporting facilities in the New Bali, such as public toilets, implemented high standards since the beginning.

“Don’t spoil this beautiful region given by God because of wrong management. We should avoid this,” he underlined.

The president also hoped that the construction of an airport and access to the MotoGP circuit could kick off immediately to support the construction of the circuit. According to him, all facilities for the international race will be ready by 2020.

Jokowi expected that Mandalika street circuit could become a starting point to boost the country's and NTB's economy. “We hope this circuit will later support the national economic growth.”

ANTARA