Praya, Lombok Tengah (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy stated their administration had cleared a land dispute that had earlier hindered construction of the Mandalika International Circuit in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
The land issue had been resolved before the World Superbike event on November 19-21.
"Thank God, this circuit track was completed on time, and the land issue has been resolved," Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno noted while visiting the Mandalika Circuit, Friday.
The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy lauded the NTB Regional Police Chief Inspector General Moh Iqbal and his team for resolving land issues in the Mandalika Special Economy Zone (SEZ) since 2020.
The Mandalika Circuit, spanning 4.3 kilometers, has 17 corners and 10 spots, with a beach view scenery.
"I have been around the circuit, and I can say that it is ready to use for racing," Uno noted.
The minister also emphasized that all parties, including local governments, organizers, tourism players, and the public, will tighten the implementation of COVID-19 health protocols. Uno is optimistic that the efforts would maintain tourism during the pandemic.
"Maximize the implementation of health protocols, so that tourists are safe from the virus," he remarked.
He believes that the WSBK and MotoGP events can be an opportunity for job openings in an effort to recover the local economy.
"We are trying to push NTB's tourism to be able to return to normal," Uno emphasized.
NTB Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Moh Iqbal, stated that since July 2020, his team had adopted a humanistic approach to address the matter of land acquisition around the Mandalika Circuit.
Out of the 17 land points of concern, Iqbal confirmed that relocation was needed for only three spots.
It would take three days for the residents of Zone one to move, while residents in Zone two and three are awaiting the payment scheme, and they are scheduled to move before the events.
"We need to finish the payment scheme for Zone two and three, and the residents will move before the event starts," Iqbal added.
As a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19, the NTB Police will also prepare a patrol team and tighten health protocols for both local and foreign guests.
"Health protocols will be implemented strictly," he concluded.
