East Kutai regent faces lawsuit for purchasing stake in KPC
Saturday, July 24 2004 - 02:09 AM WIB
According to a copy of the letter, which was sent to law firm Hukum Dermawan & Co by Melati Bhakti Satya?s lawyer, the suit was filed because East Kutai regent has violated an agreement reached between East Kalimantan province and East Kutai regency.
A copy of the letter was obtained by the Tempo News Room.
Besides East Kutai regency, Melati Bhakti Satya is also suing KPC, Rio Tinto Plc., BP Plc, Pacific Resources Investment Limited, Sangatta Holding, BP International Limited, Kalimantan Coal Limited, Bumi Resources, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro, ministry of energy?s inspector general Djoko Darmono and Coordination Minister for Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti.
Meanwhile, Melati Bhakti Satya?s president director Nurtjahyo refused to give his comments on the suit when the Koran Tempo asked for confirmation of the news, saying he has to consult his lawyer before talking.
?I think it would be better if the company?s lawyer can explain about the lawsuit. They (lawyers) understand more,? Nurtjahyo said.
Earlier, the government confirmed on Wednesday that the East Kutai administration made the payment of US$104 million for the purchase of 18.6 percent stake in East Kalimantan-based coal miner KPC.
The payment was made on July 11, 2004 to the publicly-listed PT Bumi Resources, the owner of the world?s biggest coal mine.
According to their report, it?s (regarding payment) over,? Ministry of Energy?s director of coal industry Mahyudin Lubis told the Tempo News Room in Jakarta on Wednesday.
In accordance with the Cabinet decision in October 2002, KPC must divest 51 percent of company?s shares under a plan which 20 percent for PT Bukit Asam Tbk. and 31 percent stake for the government companies in East Kalimantan province. (*)