Freeport Needs Certainty: President Director

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - PT Freeport Indonesia needs certainty with regard to its contract extension to further invest in the country, the company's President Director Maroef Sjamsoeddin stated here on Monday.

"With regard to this, Freeport is committed to following the rules imposed by the country. It needs certainty, so that it can continue to invest without violating any laws," he affirmed after a closed-door meeting with the House of Representatives' Commission VII to discuss contract extension and smelter development.

He noted that the government could consider the provision that contract extension could be carried out two years before it expires.

"As an investor, what we need is that certainty could be given as quickly as possible. An investor needs certainty, so that it can continue to invest," he remarked.

Regarding topics discussed during the meeting, Maroef said that they had discussed various problems faced by PT Freeport, including contract extension.

"We have discussed, for instance, the regulations linked to obstacles that need to be solved. In this case, the DPR (House of Representatives) would together seek solutions to the problems, as has been conveyed by the president during a meeting with Jim Moffet. The spirit is to guarantee Freeport's investment without violating any laws," he stated.

He affirmed that the DPR will discuss the mechanism for the extension of the contract.

"Other political issues were also discussed just now, including the laws that could accommodate it. The DPR will discuss it with the experts," he added. (WDY)