Busang gold mines

Busang gold mines

Nearly all layers of Indonesian society are discussing the
plans for the exploitation of the Busang gold mines in Kalimantan
by foreign companies such as Bre-X and Barrick in partnership
with the national private sector.

Considering the huge deposits of gold, said to be the largest
in the world, and the long period of exploitation, the Busang
mines are expected to yield tens of billions of U.S. dollars
during production, it was interesting to read the government
would only have a 10 percent share in the operations.

As a citizen of Indonesia I would like to remind the leaders
and people's representatives that the natural riches belong to
the Indonesian people. They are God's gift to the whole
Indonesian nation and they have not been bestowed on one person,
one group or a handful of persons.

Moreover, Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution says there are
three economic agents: state-owned companies, the private sector
and cooperatives. Cooperatives are especially recognized as the
pillar of the national economy.

I would propose the honorable leaders of the People's
Consultative Assembly and the House of Representatives should
urge executives to give equal opportunities to other economic
agents, namely state-owned companies and cooperatives, to
participate in the exploitation of the Busang gold mines. In
particular, the cooperatives need to be considered.

I trust that the leaders of the People's Consultative Assembly
and the House of Representatives, in whom the people have put
their trust, will fight with full responsibility.

M. DIMYATI HARTONO

Jakarta