DPRD Speaker Angered by Anies Baswedan, Formula E Permit Fiasco

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta’s Legislative Council (DPRD) Speaker, Prasetio Edi Marsudi, was annoyed by the terrible communication showcased by the city administration’s sub-departments led by Governor Anies Baswedan upon hosting the upcoming Formula E race.

He expressed this in a meeting between Commission E legislators with executive members at the DPRD headquarters on Wednesday, February 19. 

Apart from the Formula E planning fiasco, Prasetio also steered his strong comments on Anies’ possible 2024 presidential candidacy.

“Who’s president will he be in 2024. [It’s destined]. Tell the governor to just work properly,” in the Commission E DPRD meeting.

Prasetio strongly urged the Jakarta government to promote better communication between city sub-departments which quips the recent Formula E recommendation woe involving the city’s Cultural Heritage Expert Team (TACB).

The Jakarta administration submitted a permit request to the State Secretariate for the use of Monas as a temporary Formula E track, which should come along with a formal recommendation from the TACB. Even though Anies Baswedan, in his letter, wrote that his request is based on a recommendation from the TACB.  

However, the TACB strongly denies the governor’s claim and said that they have never issued a recommendation to the Jakarta governor. This turned out to be a technical mistake by Regional Secretary Saefullah who should have typed TSP instead of TACB. 

“There will always be a solution if everyone is engaged in communication. Don’t ever think that you are the only person with brains,” said Prasetio who is also a PDIP politician.

He also lashed out on the Jakarta Cultural Affairs Agency Head, Iwan Wardhana, who was told to remind Anies Baswedan whenever the governor shows signs of making mistakes. 

LANI DIANA WIJAYA