Jokowi Calls Freeport Share Negotiations Tough, Freeport Boss Says This

President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) Tony Wenas. (Photo: Maria Trisnawati/VOI)

JAKARTA - President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) Tony Wenas opened his voice about President Joko Widodo's statement that PTFI's stock negotiations were tough.

Tony said that during this week there had been no activity to discuss the release of PTFI's shares to Indonesia.

"This week there are almost no activities," Tony told the media quoted on Thursday, April 11.

Tony said that the discussion on the release of shares to this country was tough because there were several administrative processes that had to be passed so that it took a long time. In addition, according to Tony, Government Regulation (PP) Number 96 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Mineral and Coal Mining Business Activities also needs to be revised.

"This is a bureaucratic process, the neosiation process, PP 96 also needs to be revised, so everything takes time," Tony continued.

Meanwhile, regarding the company's internal problems, Tony is unable to find any obstacles in the process of negotiating the release of shares to this country. Moreover, currently the company and the government have reached an understanding regarding this matter.

"Broadly speaking, there has been an understanding. It has been resolved," said Tony.

Previously, Indonesian President Joko Widodo targeted that the government's share ownership negotiations against PT Freeport Indonesia of 61 percent could be completed by June 2024.

"This regulation will be completed first and then the negotiations can be finalized immediately, but I saw that I didn't target it until June. As soon as possible. If possible, it will be as soon as June," said President Jokowi, March 28.

President Jokowi believes that 61 percent of share ownership can be realized after negotiations with PT Freeport Indonesia reached a common ground.

In addition, the government is also finalizing the Revision of Government Regulation (PP) Number 96 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Mineral and Coal Mining Business Activities.