Veda Ega Goes Global, But Will Yogyakarta Get a Circuit?

Young racer from Gunungkidul, Veda Ega Pratama, has successfully broken into the world racing scene. However, the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) still does not have a permanent circuit to support rider development. Responding to this, Ahmad Fajar, Acting Managing Director of InJourney Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), said his party currently has no plans to build a circuit in Jogja. “For now, we have no plans in that direction. We are utilising the assets within the InJourney Group, for example in the airport area. If there is an assignment from InJourney or the government, it can certainly be considered. But at the moment, there are no plans to build in other areas,” Fajar said when met at the Keraton Jogja complex on Sunday (19/7/2026). According to Fajar, proposals for circuit construction in regions, including DIY, fall under the authority of local governments. ITDC would only become involved if it received an official assignment to develop the area. “But we leave that to the provincial or local government. So we have no plans to build in other areas, unless there is an assignment from InJourney or ITDC,” he stressed. He also touched on the construction of the Mandalika Circuit, explaining that it was part of the development of the Mandalika tourism area in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). “The circuit was built there, at ITDC, because we own the 1,200-hectare Mandalika area. Why is there a circuit there? Because we wanted to develop the region,” he explained. Fajar noted that before its development, NTB was one of the regions with high poverty rates. The presence of the Mandalika Circuit and MotoGP, he said, has elevated the region’s profile while strengthening Indonesia’s branding on the global stage. “In the past, when Indonesians went abroad and were asked where they were from, people only knew Bali. Now many recognise Mandalika because of MotoGP. It has become part of Indonesia’s branding as well,” he explained. Fajar said ITDC continues to support Veda Ega’s career. After meeting Sri Sultan HB X, Veda is scheduled to train at the Mandalika Circuit before returning to Europe to continue racing. “Starting tomorrow, they will depart from Jogja to train at the Mandalika Circuit, then return to England, continue to Spain, and in October they will race again at Mandalika,” he said.