"We will wait for the legal opinion of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights," Jero Wacik said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik said he would leave the issue of divesting seven percent of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (NNT) shares to the Law and Human Rights Ministry.

"We will wait for the legal opinion of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights," Jero Wacik said here on Wednesday.

He said the Ministry of Law and Human Rights was now studying the legal aspects of the process to divest the 7-percent stake in NNT.

The House of Representatives (DPR) had asked the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to give a chance to the West Nusatenggara (NTB) region to obtain the NNT stake.

In the meantime, Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo said the government would buy the shares through the Government Investment Center (PIP).

Wacik said he had just received a letter from House Commission VII on energy affairs asking the minister to give the seven percent stake to the region (regional government).

"So, we will look into it which one is legally right, whether it is the central government or the regional administration that h has the right to purchase the stake," Wacik said.

He said that actually it would be just the same if it was bought by the central government or the regional administration because it would equally mean the shares would be owned by Indonesia.

Commission VII member Satya W Yudha said his commission had written to the minister of energy and mineral resources which contained the commission`s request that the shares be given to the region.

"The minister of energy and mineral resources in his capacity as the authorized owner of the country`s mineral resources has the right to decide this matter," Satya said.

Earlier, the State Audit Board (BPK) said that PIP needed the approval of the House before it could purchase the MNT shares.

The divestment of seven percent of NNT shares was the last phase of the firm`s obligation to transfer ownership of its shares by at least 51 percent to Indonesia.

NNT is a foreign mining firm which produces gold and copper in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

A total of 44 percent of shares of NNT were previously owned by foreigners but part of it was to be divested or transferred to Indonesia.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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