Jokowi: Challenges Of Downstreaming In The Face Of Political Risks And Intervention

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that intervention from developed countries to political risks is a challenge faced by Indonesia in the process of realizing downstreaming natural resources.

President Jokowi when opening the XXII Indonesian Economic Bachelors Association (ISEI) Congress and the 2024 National Seminar in Surakarta, Central Java, said, in normal world conditions, developed countries would definitely hinder these efforts.

"In a normal position, it is impossible for us to do downstreaming. It will definitely be intercepted by developed countries," Jokowi said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, September 19.

The President also shared his experience when taking over Freeport in the Tembagapura highlands, Mimika, Central Papua, where many reminded him of the potential political risks.

"Even when I was about to take Freeport, many whispered to me, sir, be careful, Papua can be released. Sir, be careful, you can be overthrown. Sir, be careful. So downstream is not an easy thing," he said.

Jokowi explained that Freeport had been operating for 55 years without building a smelter, even though the resources produced, such as copper and gold, were of great value.

"Because there is not only copper, there are other items that are higher in price, namely gold," he said.

With the construction of a smelter in Gresik, said Jokowi, the government hopes to calculate the potential for gold lost from Indonesia so far.

"My estimate is, per year maybe 40 to 50 tons. It's just an estimate, guessing," he said.

With this step, Jokowi hopes that Indonesia can maximize the potential of its natural resources and reduce dependence on foreign parties.