Papua leaders want role in renegotiation of Freeport?s contract

By Bambang Atmaja

Leaders in Papua province demanded to participate in the ongoing renegotiation of the mining contract of PT Freeport Indonesia with the central government, and asked the gold and copper mining firm to allocate more revenue to the province.

The statement was conveyed by Papua Govenor Lukas Enembe, Chairman of Chairman of Papuan People Council (MRP) Timotius Murib, and Deputy Chairman of Papua House of Representatives, Yunus Wonda to Petromindo.com at the State Palace on Monday after meeting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"There must be transparency so that the royalty for Indonesia, for Papua, will be transparent and fair," said Timotius.

Lukas and Wonda demanded the involvement of Papua administration in the renegotiation of the contract of PT Freeport.

"We want the government of Papua to be involved in the renegotiation being done by the central government with Freeport," said Lukas.

Going forward, Wonda demanded the talks regarding the renegotiation of the contract to be held in Papua, not in Jakarta.

Wonda added that Freeport should boost its contribution to the development in Papua.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak