The upcoming Formula E race in Jakarta is set to be a dry one — at least where promoting beer is concerned, which would have been triggering to certain groups in the capital.
The Jakarta E-Prix organizing committee has confirmed that there will be no ads for beer or other alcoholic beverages at the venue, despite Heineken being a global sponsor of the championship.
“The Heineken ad will not appear, that is for certain,” Jakpro Vice Managing Director Gunung Kartiko said yesterday.
Gunung acknowledged that Heineken has paid top dollar to be associated with Formula E, but stressed that any promotional materials that are displayed in Jakarta must abide by local customs.
While beer ads do not necessarily violate the capital’s local customs — let alone local laws — the race organizers have been under pressure to keep the Jakarta E-Prix free from association with alcohol.
PA 212, a conservative Islamic organization whose support for Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan was instrumental in sealing his victory during the 2017 provincial election, last week threatened to pull their support for the politician over the beer ad controversy. Anies is widely expected to run in the 2024 presidential election.
Heineken has not issued a statement addressing the race organizers’ decision.
The no beer ad policy is the latest figurative shutting of the tap for the race. Previously, the organizers said that alcoholic beverages will be prohibited in the premises, while champagne will not feature in podium celebrations.
Practice sessions, qualifying, and race for the Jakarta E-Prix are all set to take place on June 4. The all-important race is scheduled to start at 3pm.
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