"Indonesia is a country based on law. Anybody may file a lawsuit if it is based on the law, and we will deal with it," he told a press conference here Tuesday night.
He said the government also has a firm legal basis for taking seven percent of the shares, and shall have the right for a counter lawsuit if there was no proof.
On Monday (June 6) chairman of the civil community for the welfare of the people of West Nusa Tanggara (NTB) Basri Mulyani filed a citizen`s lawsuit against head of the government investment center (PIP), PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara, and Newmont Mining Corporation (NMC) as holding company and registered at the Central Jakarta District Court.
The plaintiffs are 20 NTB citizens from different professions and backgrounds who suffered from the impact of the operations of Newmont and the finance minister`s decision of buying the divestment shares.
The plaintiffs under their claims demanded the immediate restoration of their rights for the seven percent of Newmont`s shares to the NTB government or the legal entity appointed by the regional administration for transfer to the people of NTB by way of development programs and empowerment of the community.
The other demand is to declare the taking over of seven percent of Newmont`s shares by the finance minister on May 6, 2011, as illegal.
"And the taking over of the shares can lead to national security instability, economic poverty, and national and state disintegration," Basri said. (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
