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Freeport boss denies assaulting lawmaker
Jakarta Globe - February 10, 2017
According to reports, the former Air Force chief of staff had assaulted Commission VII member Mukhtar Tompo after a hearing with several representatives of mining companies, including Freeport, to discuss the government's mining policies.
"There was no beating, unlike what has been reported in the media. Mukhtar also said I never assaulted him," Chappy said in a written statement released on Thursday evening (09/02).
Chappy claimed after the hearing Mukhtar had approached him to ask why Freeport has recently been inconsistent in its policies. Chappy then demanded that Mukhtar prove his accusation.
The Freeport director has already apologized to the Commission VII for the kerfuffle between him and Mukhtar.
Mukhtar's tweets triggered Chappy's anger
Mukhtar meanwhile claimed that Chappy had yelled at him and poked him on the chest with his finger during an altercation after the hearing. Chappy's anger was reportedly triggered by a tweet from Mukhtar criticizing the lack of progress on Freeport's smelter construction.
"Freeport has violated Law No. 4/2009 articles 103 and 170. Their promise to build a smelter was only a play. This whole thing is a soap opera," Mukhtar tweeted on Dec. 7 last year.
In another tweet on the same day, he said "Freeport Indonesia director's statement to Commission VII today confirms they will not build a smelter if their contract is not extended. Funny."
Freeport is supposed to build a smelter in Gresik, East Java. According to the deal they made with the government, they will not be allowed to export anymore concentrates after Jan. 12 if they do not go ahead with the smelter construction.
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