TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - After urging Setya Novanto to resign from his post as the House of Representatives (House) Speaker, Masinton Pasaribu, a politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) asked the government to evaluate PT Freeport Indonesia. Masinton viewed the exposure of talks between the House speaker and the US mining company as a scandal.
"The scandal must be used a momentum to evaluate PT Freeport’s existence in Indonesia," Masinton said at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) building in South Jakarta on Wednesday, November 18, 2015.
Masinton added that Freeport failed to provide significant contribution for Indonesia over the last few decades. As PT Freeport Indonesia's contract will expire in 2021, the government must decide whether it will be extended in 2019.
The Indonesian government had indicated that it will extend the contract as long as Freeport is committed to build smelters, divest its shares and provide benefits for people in Papua. In terms of the divestment, Setya had reportedly asked Freeport's shares by profiteering names of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Vice President Jusuf "JK" Kalla.
The plot was later exposed by Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said. Sudirman reported the case to the House's Honorary Council (MKD), resulting in demands for Setya to resign from his position. Another PDIP politician Adian Napitulu expressed his concern that Setya could intervene with MKD's decision.
Masinton added that Freeport had violated a number of regulations, including causing damages to the environment.
"In addition to investigating SN [Setya Novanto], who was reported to the MKD, PT Freeport must be evaluated," Masinton said.
FRISKI RIANA
