REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Head of Energy and Mineral Resources Department of Papua Government Bangun S. Manurung said Indonesian government should have a master plan to take over Freeport. This was needed to anticipate zero production when Freeport decided to leave Indonesia. 

Bangun said the negotiation between Indonesia and Freeport was centralized under the authority of the central government. He hoped that the regional government could also be involved. 

He added that one of the important things to be discussed was to make a plan of Freeport management in the future. “We hope, after the government made its decision, when it has been decided, there will be a contingency plan so it is already well-planned,” said him in Jakarta on Monday (March 20).

Also read: State enterprises ready to acquire 51 percent stake in Freeport

Bangun said when working contract should be ended and Freeport should leave Indonesia, the central government should have had a short program to take it over. 

In a broader view, Freeport was not only a matter of business. There was a social and economic condition which impacted the people in Papua and Indonesia in general.  If the uncertain decision was kept going, there would be many people impacted. 

“There is no termination of employment for the Freeport employees. But there were thousands of contracted employees dismissed. There were many foreign and domestic workers were housed. They still been workers and got basic salary. They have not dismissed,” said Bangun. 

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