GBK to Become Alternative Circuit for Jakarta's Formula E Event

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Gelora Bung Karno Area Management Center (PPK GBK) has prepared the Formula E circuit as an alternative if the National Monument (Monas) area can not be used.

Director of PPK GBK Winarto explained that the International Automotive Federation (FIA) team and the Jakarta government had visited the GBK area last Friday. "We accommodate it because the organizers need a place to held Formula E," he said at a press conference in his office, Tuesday, February 11, 2020.

The government had prepared an alternative because according to Jakarta Governor Annies Baswedan, several members of the Medan Merdeka Regional Development Directing Committee objected if the race being held at Monas which is a cultural heritage.

However, the Directing Committee through a letter dated February 7, 2020, approved the Formula E circuit in the Medan Merdeka area with several notes.

Winarto said that the Formula E circuit at the GBK started from the west plaza of the main stadium towards Jalan Asia Afrika, passed in front of Century Hotel, and entered again into the GBK through door 5. After that, the racer goes through the east parking lot, turns on the east plaza, and return to the west plaza of the GBK main stadium.

Winarto revealed that the PPK GBK was trying to facilitate the FIA and the Jakarta government, which at that time had not received the certainty of the Formula E circuit. "We understand that the organizers come here because they need a place and we are trying to help," he said.

The Proposed alternative circuit, Winarto said, has been presented to the FIA and received a good response. The Automotive Federation also offers circuit design in GBK complete with pitstop, festival spots, and the garage.

Until now, there has been no final decision regarding the location that will be used as the Formula E circuit. "[We] are still mulling it, for the decision of the race whether the organizers want to choose the GBK or Monas area, the decision is in their hand," he said.

Ministry of Youth and Sports Affair Zainudin Amali received information that the State Secretariat had permitted the Jakarta government to held Formula E in the Monas area. This means that the Jakarta government and PT Jakarta Propertindo must coordinate with relevant parties to prepare the circuit.

Chairman of the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI) Sadikin Aksa said the determination of the Formula E circuit is still awaiting a final decision from the central government and the Jakarta government. He explained that IMI had submitted various track options to the FIA and Formula E Operations (FEO) Limited. Sadikin hopes that the government will immediately set up the Formula E circuit. "So that the process can work," he said.