JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – The Special Staff of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) stated that the President will not take any strategic decision on the renegotiation over mineral mining and oil & gas contracts between the government (locally known as Kontrak Karya) and major foreign companies.

Firmanzah, President SBY’s Special Staff for Economy, said that the President has decided to hand over the future of the contract renegotiation to the upcoming President of the Republic.

“It will be the President of 2014-2019 period who will decide and finalize (the contract renegotiation),” Firmanzah was quoted by Kompas on Friday (June 27).

As you may know, SBY will end his ten years of presidency by October 20, 2014, when the new President and Vice President of the Republic is inaugurated by the People’s Consultative Council (MPR).

The government, meanwhile, is still discussing the renegotiation of contracts with major foreign mining and oil & gas companies, including Freeport, Newmont, Vale Indonesia, Eramet, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Inpex.

At least, there are 20 oil & gas blocks will expire within 3-8 years time. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)