Ministers say no need to replace Freeport top leader in Papua

By Bambang Atmaja

A minister and deputy minister on Wednesday said that it was not necessary to replace President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia Rozik B. Soetjipto from his position as he was capable on holding renegotiation with workers.

Coordinating Minister for Economy Hatta Rajasa and Vice Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Susilo Siswoutomo made the response after Papuan leaders demanded Rozik to step down because he?s perceived to be unable to act neutral in the negotiation talks with workers due to his background as a former top official at the energy ministry.

"I think it (the request for Rozik?s resignation) is not acceptable," Hatta told Petromindo.com at the State Palace when asked for his opinion on the demand.

"The important thing is not about who is in the negotiation table and what his background is, but whether he can bring benefits for Freeport and the people (of Indonesia)," Susilo told Petromindo.com.

Workers of Freeport Indonesia, which operates the massive gold and copper mine in Papua, have demanded for better pay.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak