Susilo asks Freeport to improve community development program

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is hoping that the gold and copper mining company PT Freeport Indonesia will improve its existing community development programs, the Investor Daily Indonesia newspaper reported in its Thursday edition.

The community development program is being implemented in areas near the Freeport?s mining and other areas.

The expectation of the President was unveiled by the presidium member of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals Association (ICMI) Hatta Rajasa to reporters after a meeting with the President along with ICMI?s honorary chairman BJ Habibie at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.

?President conveyed to us that the Freeport must improve community development program in its areas and other areas in Papua,? Hatta said.

During the meeting, Susilo briefed the ICMI delegation about the state revenue in the forms of taxes and royalties from Freeport Indonesia. The government received Rp 7 trillion last year, Hatta said.

In addition, the President mentioned that the government had the data about Freeport?s exploitation of natural resources in Papua.

?Freeport not only produces gold but also silver and copper. It?s not correct if somebody says we don?t have the data. Data is there and it was audited by Sucofindo,? Hatta said.

The government will announce today (Thursday) the result of environmental audits on Freeport Indonesia at the Office of the State Minister of Environment. (*)