Malaysia to barter Rp 200b with coal from S. Kalimantan
Friday, March 30 2001 - 04:00 AM WIB
The Malaysian government plans to "barter" Rp 200 billion (US$=Rp10,500) with coal mining fields in Kotabaru, South Kalimantan, governor Sjachriel Darham said on Thursday.
Reading his accountability report to the South Kalimantan Legislative Council, Sjachriel said the Rp 200 billion money would be channeled to the provincial administration.
He described the deal as "barter" deal, in which Malaysia would get the coal mining fields, while South Kalimantan administration would get the Rp 200 billion fund.
"Malaysia needs our coal, totaling 11 million tons per annum. Besides, Malaysia has been acting as an agent to sell coal of up to 21 million tons to Thailand," Sjachriel
The governor said Malaysian investors had surveyed coal-mining fields in Kotabaru, Pulau Laut, where most of their coal mining sites would be located.
He noted that the Rp 200 billion had been allocated for four projects, namely the construction of the extension of Syamsuddin Noor airport's runway, the completion of the development of Banjarmasin's Northern ring road, the construction of Benua Anyar bridge and the construction of road in Batulicin.
Meanwhile, the Legislative Council speaker Mansyah ADD said that the council did not know about the barter until the governor reported to the Council on Thursday.
"We just hear it just now. Of course, the council will discuss this," he said. "Who owns the coal that will be bartered with the Rp 200 billion, who owns the company, all these things must be clear." (*)