New mining law to be submitted to parliament mid June

The government is expected to complete the final draft of the country's new law on mining early next month, and to submit it to the House of Representatives sometime in the middle of the month, according to secretary general of the Ministry of Mines and Energy Joko Darmono.

Joko said that new law covers various aspects including who would be given the authority to issue mining licenses.

He added that the law also incorporates the public pressure for the government not to be involved in business.

He also said that there would be a "reposition" of the current monopoly status of the state oil and gas company Pertamina so that the company could become a world-class operator. He didn't elaborate. (*)