Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affirmed PT Freeport's Attitude to US Trade Minister

INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Marine Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan affirmed the Indonesian government's stance on divesting 51 percent of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) shares in a meeting with US Trade Minister Wilbur Ross.

Luhut in "Coffee Morning" with media crew in Jakarta, Tuesday (17/10/2017), said the meeting was made at the request of the Minister of Trade Ross and done with a warm and intimate atmosphere.

He recalled, had thought that talks with the Minister of Trade would revolve around Indonesia's surplus trade with the United States.

"But it turns out that some of the issues are Freeport, which I explain that I am coordinating with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources and Minister of Finance, that 51 percent is no bargaining, it is the right of the Indonesian government," he said.

The former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs said that the take-over process still needs time to finish by 2019 or 2021.

"Secondly, about smelter, and thirdly, I say about management, once we are 51 percent, management is entirely in the hands of Indonesia," he said.

According to Luhut, he did not hold talks with the President and CEO of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc parent company Richard C. Adkerson.

Although, admitted Luhut they had come to the same event on the sidelines of his visit to Washington DC in the framework of IMF-World Bank 2017 Meeting.

"I did not meet with Freeport, there was US-Indo, there was Adkerson there but I did not talk specifically to him, so who asked me about this is the Minister of Commerce, I explained and from him there is no question he is 'happy' with my answer," he concluded.