President Jokowi Inaugurates Mandalika Circuit

TheIndonesia.id - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province, on Friday, 12 November 2021.

In his speech, the President stated that the 4.3-kilometer (km) circuit, with 17 turns, will host two international racing events of World Superbike (WSBK) on November 19-21, 2021, and MotoGP in March 2022.

"The circuit that applies the latest stone mastic asphalt technology is ready to hold various world-class events," he quoted by Antara.

According to Director of Strategy and Communication of the Mandalika Grand Prix Association, Happy Harinto, stone mastic asphalt is a type of hot mix asphalt applied to coat the road surface using the principle of stone-by-stone contact.

It provides a deformation-resistant and durable surfacing material that is suitable for roads where heavy traffic is recorded.

In addition, Jokowi inaugurated the 17.3-km-long and 50-m wide Lombok International Airport (BIL) - Mandalika Bypass Road.

"Since the road connecting the airport and the racing venue has been completed, the trip between the two sites will only take 15 minutes," he noted.

According to the Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry, some Rp814 billion had been diverted from the 2020-2021 state budget (APBN) for the road construction work.

During his visit, the head of the state was accompanied by several ministers.

State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Investment Minister/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia, and Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi accompanied the president during the visit.

In addition, Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly, who is concurrently head of the Central Indonesian Motor Association Bambang Soesatyo, NTB Governor H. Zulkieflimansyah, NTB Regional Police Chief Inspector General Mohammad Iqbal, and Commander of Military Resort 162/Wira Bhakri Brigadier General Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani were present along with Jokowi. (Antara)