Ahok Fails to Disburse Local-Budget Fund for Rio Haryanto

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama confirmed that the Jakarta Administration will not be providing financial aid to Indonesian racer Rio Haryanto to appear in the Formula 1 event.  “Its not allowed.  We have checked the regulation from the Financial and Development Supervision Agency (BPKP),” Ahok said in City Hall on Wednesday, November 18.

Ahok says the state-budget is prohibited to be used to finance professional athlets participating in commercial tournament.  “Formula 1 is commercial, so it’s prohibited to use funds from the state-budget.  So, professional athlets can not be aided, not even from donation,” said Ahok.

Yesterday, Chairman of local parliament DKI Prasetyo Edi Marsudi planned to provide Rp90 billion in financial aid to Rio, which is budgeted through the Budget Agency.  Prasetyo said the Jakarta Tourism Service could use Rio’s car as a media publication if the Jakarta Administration approves of the proposal.

Up to today, the 22-year-old racer has received 5 million euros from Pertamina to participate in Formula 1, whereas Rio is desperately in need to come up with 15 million euros to be able to join the prestigious event. Formula 1 team is giving Rio a deadline until mid-November to get a sponsor in order to compete in next year’s F1 event.

ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI