Some of the national interests that will be prioritized relating to the contract agreement of PT Freeport are royalties, divestment, smelter construction and Papua regional development.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said President Joko Widodo has stressed that the government will continue prioritizing its national interest on the PT Freeport Indonesia contract agreement.

"Some of the national interests that will be prioritized relating to the contract agreement of PT Freeport are royalties, divestment, smelter construction and Papua regional development," Pramono said here on Tuesday.

According to Pramono, Jokowi is prioritizing the countrys national interest on the Freeport contract issue.

He added that the Freeport company must provide better royalties to the central government and Papuan government for the regional development.

"The second obligation is divestment, which can be implemented immediately. In term of this, the regulation and working agreement have regulated that Freeport must divest," Pramono said.

The Secretary noted that the President has delivered the four obligations for related ministers to follow up on the agreement.

Pramono confirmed that Jokowi has never discussed the four obligations with any other persons beyond the government.

"If there are any persons who seek to profit from using the names of the president and vice president, then it was not true. The President has prioritized the four obligations on the agreement with Freeport," Pramono said.

Pramono added that Jokowi has never discussed the issue of company shares with anyone. He also dismissed the using of particular persons in the mediation process with Freeport.

"This is because the President can meet directly with the owner of Freeport," he said.

Previously, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said noted that a politician had used the name of the president and vice president for illegal gain from PT Freeport Indonesia, in exchange for support for an extension of its contract.

The Minister has since reported to the Parliament Honorary Council that a member of parliament had met leaders of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), demanding an unpaid share in a power generating plant to be built in Timika, Papua.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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