Jayapura, Papua (Antara) - Chairman of the Papua regional executive board of Hanura party Yan P. Mandenas calls on regional political leaders to unite in seeking a share in PT Freeport Indonesia for the people of Papua and regional administration.
PT Freeport Indonesia, a subsidiary of the U.S. mining giant Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, has large copper and gold mines in Papua.
"Political elite in Papua should stop their political quarrel, instead they should unit in giving contribution to the welfare of the local people," Mandenas said here on Thursday.
Local politicians should think for long term interest of the people and educate the people to be able to manage and develop abundant natural resources of Papua, he said.
He said the politicians should help the Papua customary community in seeking compensation for their land used by Freeport.
"I call on the governor , regional leaders , community leaders and politicians to contribute to the efforts that the people and regional administration are given a share in Freeport under its next contract," he said.
"We would take the initiative to coordinate with the governor to bring the demand to the central government that the people of Papua be given a share in Freeport Indonesia if its contract is extended. As a shareholder, the Papuan people could no longer be tricked with falsehood," he added.
He said he agreed with extension of the contract of Freeport but the central government , regional administrations and customary communities should have a share.
It would be more complicated if the contract of Freeport was terminated to be replaced by new investors, he said.
He said Freeport played a strategic role in the history of integration of Papua into Indonesia.
PT Freeport is seeking to renew its working contract which would end in 2021.
Its attempt to talk the government into extending its contract has placed it in the center of controversy as according to the country's regulation discussion of contract extension could start only two years before the end of the present contract or in 2019.
The controversy was worse with Parliament Speaker Setya Nonvanto was reported to the Parliament Honorary Tribunal (MKD) by Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said.
Novanto was reported inviting Freeport President Director Maroef Sjamsudin to secret meetings and asked for share in the company.
The controversy ended with the downfall of Setya Novanto as Parliament speaker on Wednesday night.
Novanto, who was charged with violation of ethical code, tendered his resignation after all MKD members voted against him. (WDY)
