Dozens of students in Malang, East Java, rallied to express opposition to a contract extension for PT Freeport Indonesia – pojokpitu.com
Malang, Jubi – Dozens of students in Malang, East Java, rallied to express opposition to a contract extension for PT Freeport Indonesia.
They issued a statement rejecting Freeport during a rally held in front of City Hall in Malang, East Java, on last week.
Coordinator of the action, Riyanda Barmawi, said this action demanding the government and legislatorst to stop the contract with PT Freeport because it harms to the country.
“State land is managed by foreign parties, and ironically the contribution to the state treasury for the management of gold mine is less than 10 percent,” said Riyan.
He considered the government had violated Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution which states that the country’s natural wealth should be used for people’ welfare.
However, the fact that profits from natural resource management outcomes gold mine PT Freeport only enjoyed a handful of owners of capital, while the welfare of the people of Papua and Indonesia in general is still very alarming.
Therefore, he added, the students demanded government to prioritize local communities to manage natural resources in the country.
Not only stop contract work in PT Freeport Indonesia, the government should also think about the restoration of land.
“Lands after dredged should not be left alone and eventually abandoned and worsen environmental conditions in the country, especially in Papua,” he added.
In the rally, they also demanded the establishment of new laws regarding foreign investment in Indonesia.
“That is to replace Law No. 25 of 2007 on Investment that is capitalistic. The government should also immediately conduct an evaluation of foreign investment, which has obviously been detrimental to the country, “he said. (*/ Tina)
