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The Medan Merdeka Area Development Steering Committee has changed its decision and is now allowing the Jakarta administration to hold Indonesia’s first Formula E electric motorbike race in the National Monument (Monas) complex in Central Jakarta.

The approval was issued on Friday by State Secretary Pratikno, who is also the committee chairperson. The letter was addressed to Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.

“In the letter, the steering committee approves of the Formula E race being held in Taman Medan Merdeka, in compliance with statutory regulations,” State Secretariat secretary Setya Utama confirmed to Kompas on Monday.

However, the committee underlined several requirements in the letter, including the construction of spectator stands and other facilities in accordance with statutory regulations, especially Law No. 11/2010 on cultural heritage.

Read also: Monas not available for Indonesia's first Formula E race: State Secretariat

The event’s organizers are also required to preserve the cleanliness, vegetation and security of the Medan Merdeka area, as well as coordinate with relevant agencies to avoid making any changes to the function of the area as a cultural heritage site and causing damages to the environment.

The State Secretariat initially rejected a request to use the Monas complex as a circuit for the Formula E, which is scheduled for June.

The rejection was based on several reasons, including that Monas is a heritage site, a historical and cultural landmark for Indonesia and that any heavy modifications might cause major damages, according to Setya.

The Jakarta ePrix is an annual race for the single-seater, electrically powered Formula E championship. It is to be the first Fédération Internationale de l'Automobil (FIA)-sanctioned race in the country since the A1 GP in 2006.

Anies announced in September 2019 that Jakarta had secured a deal to host the race for five consecutive years, saying the event would benefit the capital by stimulating infrastructure development. (syk)