TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said he has reported his plan upon hosting a Formula E race in Indonesia’s capital to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the State Palace.

“I met the President to report on the plans to host Formula E event,” said Anies on Tuesday, August 13.

In the meeting with the President, the governor mainly discussed the economic advantage of hosting one of the world’s intriguing all-electric motorsport events. Discussions range from the beneficial aspects that the city could attract and its economic and non-economic gains of hosting the international event.

The governor predicts that Jakarta’s economic growth can reach up to Rp1.2 trillion by hosting the event, which according to him has not included the additional value from the number of attendees for the race weekend.

“The conservative prediction of its economic growth can reach up to Rp1.2 trillion,” said the governor.

He maintained that this number is significantly larger than the costs the city must spend to hold the Formula E race. According to Anies, the city’s administration must pay GBP20 million (roughly Rp345.9 billion) to the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) as the event organizer.

During the meeting, the governor claimed the President expressed support upon hosting the Formula E race in 2020. “[President Jokowi] is truly supportive about this plan and expects more similar programs to be held in the future,” said governor Anies.

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ