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Luhut denies involvement in Freeport talks
Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Panjaitan (left) prepares to give a press conference in Jakarta, on Thursday
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Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Panjaitan (left) prepares to give a press conference in Jakarta, on Thursday. Besides giving updates on an international conference on terrorism, he also denied any involvement in contract negotiations surrounding mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia. (Antara/Mujammad Adimaja) (left) prepares to give a press conference in Jakarta, on Thursday. Besides giving updates on an international conference on terrorism, he also denied any involvement in contract negotiations surrounding mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia. (Antara/Mujammad Adimaja)
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span class="caption">Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Panjaitan (left) prepares to give a press conference in Jakarta, on Thursday. Besides giving updates on an international conference on terrorism, he also denied any involvement in contract negotiations surrounding mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia. (Antara/Mujammad Adimaja)
Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Panjaitan has denied allegations that he was involved in the misrepresentation of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla in a closed-door discussion about PT Freeport Indonesia's mining contract extension.
He claimed on Thursday that had no intention of seeking personal gain from his current position in the government.
"I promised my wife that I would not debase my position as minister," he said as reported by kompas.com newsportal.
Luhut said he had no interest in Freeport, especially concerning discussions about its contract, which could not be extended at this time. The 2009 Minerals and Coal Law states that a mining contract renewal can only be negotiated two years before the contract expires, which means discussions on Freeport's contract extension can commence only in 2019, two years prior to the 2021 expiry.
He also cited Jokowi's requirements for the mining giant to secure a contract extension, which included increased royalties, smelter development, development in Papua and share divestment.
Luhut responded nonchalantly when ask about his name being mentioned in connection to the closed-door meeting on Freeport's contract.
"I don't feel defamed," he told journalists, adding that he would not take legal action.
He also denied that one of his former subordinates, Darmawan 'Darmo' Prasodjo, was involved in the meeting, as Darmo's name is also mentioned in the alleged conversation transcript.
Darmo was Luhut's subordinate when he served as the presidential chief of staff.
He said he had instructed Darmo, an oil and gas economist, to research Indonesia's mining and oil and gas fields, such as Freeport and the Mahakam and Masela blocks.
"He has done his job well and professionally," he said.
In the alleged transcript, Luhut's and Darmo's names were mentioned along with those of House of Representative Speaker Setya Novanto, oil and gas businessman Muhammad Riza Chalid and Freeport president director Maroef Sjamsoeddin.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said reported Setya to the House's ethics council on Monday for allegedly using Jokowi's and Kalla's names in the meeting with Freeport to ask for shares in return for helping the company renegotiate its contract. (rin)(+)
