The agreement –or in Freeport’s words: “an understanding on a framework”, between the Government of Indonesia (GoI) and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) to extend PT Freeport Indonesia’s (PTFI) operation, possibly, until 2041 has left an important issue untouched. PT Freeport’s workers who seem to be still in the middle of industrial relations dispute is a case in point. The agreement itself provided a relief to both parties after a long and protracted negotiation.
Indonesia is a classic example of a country that has overcome the oil curse. This was partly due to wiser spending politics as we weathered extremely volatile global oil prices between 1974 and 1989. Eventually, we moved from an oil-dependent economy to a more diversified one.
China has been included in the top 10 list of foreign investor in Indonesia since 2014. As in many other countries, China’s interest in Indonesia is in its energy and mining sectors; More than half of its total investment has been directed toward extractive industries. Despite the recent economic downturn in China, this investment is expected to grow as part of the broader ASEAN-China Investment Agreement.
Equality means local community is able to speak on their own voice, and promote relevant local concepts for improving resource governance policy. It is part of government duty and tasks of intermediaries, for instance the Church, to interpret these local concepts into the common terminologies that can be understood by public. This article is written to respond Policy Brief Dissemination Forum in Kupang on 18 January 2016. Original article "Pengetahuan Lokal dan Persoalan Kesetaraan" was published by Pos Kupang/Tribunnews.com on 25 Januari 2016.
The master plan of gold mining exploration on Protected Forest Tumpang Pitu is a high risk decision, due to its location either the impact. The planned mining will evict the protected forest that is believed also as the natural barrier against Tsunami. Further more, the extractive activities are going to destroy the all the stunning biological wealth in the forest. Original article "Emas, Hing Sumbut, Lik" was written in Bahasa to respond PolGov policy brief that disseminated in Surabaya on 26 January 2016.
All this time, mining companies deliver sweet promises when they will operate the mining in the region, for example in Indonesia. They are always promising employment opportunities for local people, doing good practices mining activities that are environmental concern, as well as giving all the best externalities to the neighboring society.
Oil price has been undergoing steep decline at the global market. The prices slips on persistent fears of a gult in crude oil supply. Investors predict oil prices will remain under pressure for the rest of the year. The volatility is also correspondingly ensued on the market of gas, and coal. This must affect Indonesia’s economic performance due to their central position as Indonesian prime export commodities.
The following are the highlights of my learning and sharing experiences at UGM; while I am familiar with EIA and CBA, I have got deeper appreciation of FPIC. The session on SIA was an eye-opener! Social accountability had been in my radar vis-a-vis impact assessment of any extractive projects but had never been as clear and as lucid methodology-wise. I had a lot of aha!
In the essay I wrote justifying my attendance to the training, I have mentioned that – “It will always be a reality that the poor are the most vulnerable victims of whatever situations that may besiege them. They will grab any opportunity that will help refill their empty stomachs no matter how dangerous these opportunities are to them.”
Gunung Mas (Gumas) Regency is a resource-rich district. It has 82 major mining companies (gold, coal, and zirkon) and more than 1500 households are traditional gold miners. In addition, it also has a large number of Palm Oil plantations. Despite being a resource-rich district, the health condition of people in Gunung Mas, especially women and children, is vulnerable. Malaria, TBC, Dengue Fever and child malnutrion are found in many locations.