Governor of NTB Expresses Hope to Deputy Secretary-General of GP Ansor After Appointment as Commissioner of MGPA
The Governor of Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB), Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, expressed his pride that senior activist from the Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (PMII) Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB), Sabolah Al Kalamby, has been appointed as a Commissioner at PT Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA), which manages the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone. He also expressed specific hopes for the Deputy Secretary-General of the Central Executive Board of the Youth Movement (GP) Ansor.
The appointment of Sabolah as a Commissioner at MGPA by PT InJourney Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) is expected to enable him to serve as a good communicator between the management of the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone and the surrounding community.
“I congratulate him and am proud that one of Lombok Tengah’s best young people has been entrusted with a position in the management of the Mandalika Circuit,” said Iqbal on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
Iqbal believes that Sabolah can be a good communicator between MGPA and the community around the Mandalika Circuit. This is because Sabolah grew up in the Mandalika area.
“He is a native of the Mandalika region. Therefore, he is a symbol of strengthening the integration of the Mandalika Zone with the community in the Mandalika region and the people of NTB in general,” said the former Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey.
Iqbal conveyed a message to ITDC, MGPA, and all new officials that development in Mandalika must be proportional to improving the welfare of the surrounding community.
Previously, Sabolah expressed his commitment to collaborate and synergize with local governments. “I would like to thank all parties, especially Mr. Governor of NTB Lalu Muhamad Iqbal for his support and commitment to continue collaborating in developing Mandalika as one of NTB’s and Indonesia’s icons on the world stage,” said Sabolah in a statement on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
According to him, the development of Mandalika should not only focus on the success of international events but also provide tangible economic and social impacts for the people of NTB, especially residents around the Mandalika area.
Therefore, Sabolah said that one of the main focuses that will continue to be pursued is increasing the involvement of local resources in every event held at the Mandalika Circuit.
He gave an example that during the organization of MotoGP and other international events, young people from NTB have begun to be involved as marshals and support staff for the implementation of activities.
“The MotoGP event has involved local youth, and in other events, we will continue to strive to increase community participation,” he said.
(hsa/nor)