"The president is monitoring and following (the process) seriously as on several instances we have discussed and reported the developments in the MKD to the president," Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has been following the developments in the investigation process being conducted by the Parliaments Ethics Tribunal (MKD)and is awaiting the results.

President Jokowi respects and lauds the ongoing process, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung informed the press here, Friday.

The president is following the ongoing process seriously, he added.

"The president is monitoring and following (the process) seriously as on several instances we have discussed and reported the developments in the MKD to the president," Anung added.

Of the issues highlighted during the discussions, some were based on facts, while others were exaggerated, according to Anung.

The president is awaiting the results of the investigation process being carried out by the MKD, which is open to the public, he noted.

The MKD summoned Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said and President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia Maroef Sjamsuddin on separate instances for questioning, which was broadcast live on some television stations.

The MKD heard Minister Saids explanation on Wednesday in connection with his complaint that House Speaker Setya Novanto had allegedly used the names of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla to get a stake in PT Freeport for his personal gains.

The audio transcript handed over to the MKD by Minister Said revealed that Novanto had allegedly asked for a stake in PT Freeport Indonesia in exchange for supporting the US mining company to seek a renewal of its contract, according to reports.

Novanto reportedly used the names of President Widodo and Vice President Kalla to convince Freeport.

Freeport Indonesia, which has large copper and gold mines in Papua, is seeking to renew its work contract, which will expire in 2021.

Minister Said received the copy of the audio transcript between Sjamsuddin and Novanto from the former who had recorded the conversation.

Said later handed over the copy of the recorded transcript and its brief summary to the MKD.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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