JAKARTA: Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources handed the decision for divesting 7% of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara shares to the Minister of Justice and Human Rights Amir Syamsuddin.
In the other hand, commission VII of the House of Representatives called the Head of the House to send a written order to the owner of Batu Hijau mine in West Nusa Tenggara to hand over the stake to local government, in line with the Supreme Audit Agency's (BPK) opinion.
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Jero Wacik said that the ministry has conducted a meeting with Minister of Justice and Human Rights on the Newmont issue.
“We will hand over this case to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights which can see the problem from the legal side. We will follow whatever the decision is,” he said yesterday.
Wacik also admitted that he has received the letter from Commission VII of the House which asks ESDM Minister and Finance Minister to let Newmont's shares go to the local government ownership.
“This is the hearing result with Commission VII of the House. However, since there is several arguments then we give it to the legal authority to see the right way. If it will be decided by the local government, then we will follow it. The national interest is above all.”
Member of the Commission VII Dito Ganindito confirmed that the commission has issued its decision on the purchase of 7% Newmont shares.
It should be given to the local government of West Nusa Tenggara, after BPK issued its audit related with the Finance Ministry's plan to buy Newmont shares through Government Investment Center (PIP).
Dito suggested that the government should accept the decision since BPK is a supreme institution. Moreover, the role and function of this institution has been determined in the constitution of Indonesia.
“It means, if the government does not obey the decision, then the government has violated the constitution,” he said.
The audit of BPK finds that there is funding from the State Budget in the purchasing of 7% Newmont shares, which will be done by PIP. Thus, The House's approval is needed for purchasing the shares.
Besides, BPK said the purchase of 7% Newmont shares should be set under certain government decree, after it pockets the approval from the House. (14/FIRMAN HIDRANTO/t03/ags)
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