TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Sudirman Said has asked mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia to remember two things in running their business in Papua.

First, the Minister asked Freeport to change their view about Indonesia and Papua.

According to Sudirman, there is a change in the society, which certainly should make the company has different approaches today than it did when it was established in Indonesia back in 1967.

"Both at the national and regional level, there have already been changes,” said Sudirman.

Sudirman also said that PT Freeport is now dealing with literate, knowledgeable and skilled people and the situation was completely different from the situation 40 years ago.

Second, the minister asked PT. Freeport to choose the management team more effectively as it would facilitate dialogs about development plans and future development. He also hoped that the team in Indonesia would have full authority to make decision so it does not have to wait for long for the negotiation with the central government.

PT Freeport Indonesia is planning to build a smelter in Gresik, instead of in Papua, considering that Gresik has more adequate infrastructures.

However, the idea was met with criticism from by Energy Commission of the House of Representatives who wanted the smelter to be built in Papua in order to move the economy in the island.

Papua Governor also hoped that the construction is done in two places at the same time.

URSULA FLORENE SONIA