DIGIVESTASI - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revealed that thousands of tons of gold have allegedly been taken out of the country during PT Freeport's 55 years of operation in Indonesia. This was conveyed by Jokowi at the opening ceremony of the XXII Indonesian Economic Scholars Association Congress & 2024 National Seminar in Surakarta, Thursday (19/9/2024). In his speech, Jokowi discussed the government's success in increasing Indonesia's ownership of Freeport to 51%.

According to Mr Widodo, for more than five decades Freeport has operated with majority foreign ownership, the company has never built a smelter in Indonesia. He revealed that another valuable commodity besides copper, gold, had been exported for years without domestic processing.

“Later, when the smelter in Gresik is operational, we will know how many tons of gold have been lost every year for more than 50 years. I estimate around 40-50 tons per year, that's just a rough estimate. But after the smelter operates, we will know the exact number,” Jokowi said. 

If calculated, for 55 years, it is estimated that between 2,200 and 2,750 tons of gold have left Indonesia.

The former Governor of DKI Jakarta also recounted that it was not easy to seize majority ownership of Freeport. Many challenges were faced, including whispers and threats during the process.

“When I wanted to take over Freeport, many people reminded me, 'Sir, be careful, Papua can be separated' or 'Sir, be careful, you can be overthrown'. So downstreaming is not an easy thing,” he said.

Currently, Indonesia's ownership through state-owned mining holding company MIND ID has reached 51%, up from 9% previously. Jokowi also mentioned that Indonesia continues to strive to increase ownership to 61%.

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