Anies Baswedan Optimistic Formula E to Be Held on June 6

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan is optimistic that the Formula E electric car race will still be held on June 6, 2020.

"[we] have enough time," the governor said before the reporters at the City Hall on Thursday, Feb. 6, adding that he would focus on coordinating his staff to establish communication so that Formula E racing would run smoothly. 

The race, which will use the track in the area of Medan Merdeka Selatan and National Monument (Monas), was opposed by the Palace since Monas is a cultural heritage area. The Ministry of State Secretary also requested the alteration of the route. 

According to Anies, the Formula E expert team is ready to change the track as the central government disallows the use of the National Monument area as a circuit. "It's OK. It's normal." 

The former education minister went on to say that there are a lot of alternatives for the alteration of the racing track. He, instead, put the concern on the long study of the track routes.

Earlier, the Steering Committee meeting attended by Anies saw the rejection of Monas being used as a racing track. Various opinions were voiced in the brief discussion about the implementation of Formula E on Wednesday night, February 5. 

The governor said that he had stated his reasons for using Monas as the Formula E circuit. But finally, Anies Baswedan followed the majority's demand to not allow Monas to be used as a Formula E race track.

"I shouldn't be the one to tell about the discussion because every individual has different reasons," he said.

Imam Hamdi | Galuh Kurnia Ramadhani (Intern Translator)