Lombok Locals Hold Protests Ahead of MotoGP Mandalika Test

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A series of protests have taken place in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara ahead of the MotoGP pre-season test event at the newly built Mandalika Circuit slated for the end of this week. There are at least three separate protests from groups of local residents who feel they have been left out in the development of the international circuit. 

Citing Antaranews, one protest was held at a public street in front of the Mandalika Circuit Special Economic Area on Tuesday. Hundreds of youths joined in the Central Lombok Karang Taruna Indonesia gathered to voice their dissatisfaction by burning tires. 

The protest was aimed at the PT Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA) which they claim have never involved local youths to work in the MotoGP event. Traffic was congested due to the protest. They then moved to another location at the ITDC headquarters.

“We will continue to protest if we are not involved in the MotoGP event at Mandalika,” said one protester, Srianom, in his oration which undermines the aspect of empowering local people in the international event. 

In a different event, hundreds of local transportation drivers, youths, and a village head forum of Pujut Subdistrict held a protest at the ITDC headquarters, demanding to be involved in the accommodation aspect of the international event. 

One representative of the protesters and village head, Ketara Lalu Buntaran, said the ITDC had duped local residents into believing they would be involved in its business activities that would help the local economy. 

One day before on Monday, February 7, dozens of local transportation drivers who are members of the West Nusa Tenggara Transportation Entrepreneurs Association (APTA) also held a demonstration in front of the Lombok Airport. 

"Expel ITDC and MGPA officials who did not involve local transportation drivers in Central Lombok," said Lalu Reza in his speech in Praya on Monday.

Responding to the protests, ITDC managing director Bram Subiandoro said demands for the protests held by the youths of Pujut will be discussed together to find a solution and to hear their aspirations. 

He added that the ITDC is willing to find the best solution to the matter. “We will properly solve the issue and what they yearn for. Please be patient while waiting for this solution.”

Meanwhile, village head Ketara Lalu Buntaran echoed the same sentiment and said that the local drivers will be met with the ITDC at the Central Lombok Police Sector on Wednesday. Both the ITDC and MGPA have yet clarified what the local transportation drivers demand. 

Read: MotoGP Riders Arrive in Lombok ahead of Mandalika Pre-Season Test

ANTARA