The State Secretariat has turned down a proposal to use the Monas area for the first Formula E electric car race (E-Prix) in Indonesia, which is to be held in June.

"We respect the decision and are ready to look for alternative locations," said PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) President Director, Dwi Wahyu Daryoto, Thursday (2/6), as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release.

As the Jakarta Organizing Formula E Committee, his party has prepared locations that meet the criteria as an icon of Jakarta and Indonesia," he expressed.

The new location would certainly take into account input from the central government and other related units to succeed this eco-friendly car race in Jakarta.

"We're going to announce it after getting approval from the FEO and FIA as the Formula E Jakarta partners," he explained.

Its implementation is compliance with the Jakarta Provincial Government's spirit with Jakarta Langit Biru in 2030 as outlined in Gubernatorial Instruction number 66/2019 from Presidential Regulation number 55/2019 on Acceleration of the Battery-Based Electric Motor Vehicle Program. This race is also expected to increase sports tourism according to the president's direction to increase foreign tourist visits to Indonesia.

Initially, Monas was chosen as an icon of Jakarta and Indonesia, precisely as a symbol of the city and country, like Eiffel in Paris. The Jakarta E-Prix, will bring Monas to the international world level.

"Monas and Eiffel are the most ideal locations for the holding of Formula E. Due to rejection report, we had to welcome it. Unfortunately we already have alternative locations which are still being discussed," he explained.

Nevertheless, Monas is expected to get a place as the location of the Jakarta Formula E circuit, following 5-year contract signing.

"Hopefully it can be realized as our expectation," he hoped.

As for the information, the Jakarta E-Prix is a series in the 2019/20 FIA Formula-E Championship series. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, together with COO FEO, Alberto Longo, in September last year stated that the initial Jakarta E-Prix contract will last five seasons, which will expire in 2024.