REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Chairman of House of Representatives (DPR), Setya Novanto, denies accusation that he has been alleged of having used the names of the President and Vice President for his gains over PT Freeport Indonesia's contract extension.

He knew there was the use of names of the President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla from various mass media. According to him, the President and Vice President are symbols of a country that should be respected and protected.

"I have to be careful and must convey clearly what has been presented the president to me," he said, at the Parliament Complex Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday (17/11).

When he was asked whether he had a meeting with Freeport, he did not refuse and even asked the media to ask the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Sudirman Said. Therefore, he never met Sudirman Said specifically to discuss  this issue.

Novanto emphasized, it was not easy for US companies, including PT Freeport, to hand over some of its shares to other parties. He said the US companies hold a code of conduct in the form of foreign corruption practices act (FCPA), and he was very respectful of that.

"American companies have to be careful related to its shares," he added.

Previously, Sudirman Said said there was exploitation of the names of the President and the Vice President by a politician cum DPR member in connection with PT Freeport's contract extension.

According to Sudirman, the politician also asked for Freeport's shares to be given to the President and Vice President. Later, in an exclusive interview in 'Mata Najwa' program on Metro TV, Sudirman justified the politician was the House Speaker Setya Novanto.

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