Govt turns down PT Freeport closure demands
Govt turns down PT Freeport closure demands
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita rejected yesterday petitions by some Irian Jaya tribal chiefs that the PT Freeport Indonesia mining operation be closed down.
Ginandjar did admit, however, that Freeport, an American mining company, has contributed to economic disparity in Irian Jaya.
"It's impossible to close Freeport because there is strong reasons it is operating there. Then there are also various laws," he said after meeting with 22 tribal leaders from Irian Jaya.
Ginandjar said socioeconomic disparity and cultural friction were two fundamental problems in the province.
"The local people see that Freeport has been there for 23 years, and they have long been freed from the shackles of colonization, but why are they still behind other areas of Indonesia," he said.
"I believe these concerns have substance and should be paid attention to," he said.
Freeport operates one of the world's largest copper and gold mines. The mine is located in Tembagapura, Irian jaya.
The local people's dissatisfaction with Freeport erupted last week when thousands of Irianese attacked some of the mines facilities in Tembagapura.
The 22 tribal chiefs from the Tembagapura, Mimika and Timika districts came to Jakarta yesterday to talk with government officials. The meeting was the initiative of Brig. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, the chief of the Army's special forces which helped restore calm after last week's unrest.
Apart from Ginandjar and Prabowo, Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief also attended the meeting.
Autonomy
Hidelis Sangkonao, chief of the Amungme tribe, charged that Freeport's activities had contributed little to the welfare and prosperity of the locals.
"Freeport has been there for 23 years, but the native people are still poor. Freeport's presence has caused us to lose our hunting ground where we searched for food," Hidelis contended.
Kamoro tribal chief, A. Mameyao, called for the Mimika area, with a population of 70,000, to be transformed into an autonomous regency. He argued that it would help intensify development.
Mimika is currently part of the Fakfak regency administration which oversees Freeport's operation.
The new regency, Kamoro said, could be funded by the Rp 4.5 billion in royalties Freeport pays to the Fakfak regency administration each year.
In his written statement, the Kamoro tribe leader called for the formation of a security force comprised of an infantry battalion, a special forces company, and a company from a mobile infantry brigade.
He also asked Freeport to provide more jobs to Kamoro and Amungme tribespeople.
Ginandjar said their complaints and demands would be considered by the appropriate government agencies.
Prabowo said the aim of the talks was to allow the representatives of the various tribes to express their grievances. "So they won't feel their calls are falling on deaf ears and be easily manipulated by other political agitators who could turn them into a more extreme direction," said Prabowo, who is President Soeharto's son-in-law.
In Irian Jaya, the chief of the Manokwari military command, Col. Frans de Wanna, yesterday rejected demands for Freeport's closure.
Frans said the idea was ludicrous and would harm the national development process, Antara reported.
He supported the claims that Freeport's security officers' treatment of local residents was often inhuman and disrespectful.
Frans said the company favored promoting foreigners over Indonesians or Irianese employees. (mds)