Papua's Economy Drops 8 Percent Because Of Freeport, Bahlil Says This

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia opened his voice regarding the statement of the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian who said the Central Papua economy contracted up to 8 percent.

One of the factors causing it was the disruption of Freeport's production due to the burning smelter incident and landslides that triggered a decline in production capacity.

"I have to say that for Freeport's concentrate exports, nothing is stuck," Bahlil said as quoted on Thursday, November 27.

He added that the copper concentrate export activities had also been completed so he firmly denied that anyone was being held back.

"Everything has been finished and now the time is over. So no one is detained," said Bahlil.

Previously, Tito said that the Central Papua economy fell to minus 8 percent due to the suspension of Freeport exports, burning smelters, and landslides that hampered production.

Tito also asked the President to give direct directions to the Committee for the Acceleration of Development of Papua so that the acceleration of development runs effectively.

Regarding the issue of Papuan education, Tito highlighted 56 Papuan students abroad who had not been paid by the regional government with arrears value of Rp37 billion. He proposed that the financing be taken over by the LPDP, and the President agreed.

Meanwhile, regarding the polemic of Papua's health services, Tito conveyed the President's order to conduct a total audit. "The Minister of Health and the Ministry of Home Affairs team tonight went to Jayapura. Technical audits and regulatory audits are carried out all at once. We don't want this to happen again," he said.