JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – After a meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the State Palace on Thursday (Jan. 29), Papua Governor Lukas Enembe sent an ultimatum to Freeport to build smelter in Papua, or instead getting out of the province.
Lukas, who is also Chairman of Democratic Party’s Papua chapter, said he has delivered his rejection to President Jokowi over Freeport’s plan to build smelter in Gresik, East Java. Lukas claimed all Papuans also rejected the plan.
Lukas shared his beliefs that the development of Freeport’s smelter in Papua will give positive impacts to Papua.
“So, if Freeport insisted to build the smelter outside of Papua, then (Freeport) would be forced to get out from Papua,” Lukas said firmly.
Freeport and the central government are now in discussion for the renegotiation of Freeport’s contract in Grasberg goldmine complex in Mimika, Papua.
One among several strategic points discussed in the renegotiation contract is the development of smelter in either Gresik or Papua. (haryantosuharman@yosefardi.com)