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Jakarta to move Formula E circuit from Monas to Sudirman-Thamrin
The city administration is not allowed to asphalt some parts of the Monas area in Central Jakarta to use as a circuit for the race.
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Formula E warm-up: The Lowo Ireng (Black Bat), an electric car developed by the 10 November Institute of Technology (ITS) in Surabaya, East Java, takes part in a convoy in the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, to welcome Formula E electric car race in Jakarta in 2020. (JP/Narabeto Korohama)
T
he Jakarta administration is in a quandary over Indonesia’s first Formula E electric car race after the State Secretariat turned down a proposal to use the National Monument (Monas) complex in Central Jakarta as the circuit.
An official from the State Secretariat said the rejection was based on various reasons, including that Monas is a heritage site and any major modifications might pose a risk to its well-being.
The conclusion was made in a meeting of the Medan Merdeka Area steering committee, helmed by State Secretary Pratikno, as Monas was under the supervision of the committee according to Presidential Decree No. 25/1995.
To keep the plan on track, the city administration is assessing the possibility of using Jl. Sudirman and Jl. MH Thamrin, the two main roads nearby Monas, as the new location of the race.
Jakarta Bina Marga Agency head Hari Nugroho said the roads might become the new circuit, as the track had fulfilled standards from Federation Internationale Automobile (FIA) for Formula E.
“It’s not yet [decided]. We are currently surveying the location. [The track may run] along Sudirman-Thamrin, slightly turn to the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex,” he said on Friday.
The Sudirman-Thamrin track ranges from 2.9 to 3.2 kilometers long while the general requirement for Formula E circuit is set at 3 km at the maximum.
