TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government continues to push US-based miner Freeport Indonesia to divest their shares. President Joko Widodo said the Indonesian government will pursue the 51 percent stake ownership.

"Ask for 51 percent, do not back down," Jokowi said while giving a speech at the Indonesian National Student Movement (GMNI) Congress in Manado, North Sulawesi, Wednesday, November 15.

Jokowi said that even though the negotiation effort has been running for three years, the government should not give up the pursuit of majority ownership of Freeport shares.

The President said he had specifically assigned Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan, and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno to negotiate with Freeport.

Jokowi asserted that the government has no reason to be afraid and hesitate during the negotiation process runs. According to the president, if the government is doubtful and full of hesitation, Indonesia will forever be played by foreign companies.

"There's no need to be afraid and hesitate to ask for the 51 percent," he firmly stated.

In September, Freeport McMoran Inc. CEO Richard Adkerson delivered his objection to the miner's contract with the Indonesian government; including about the 51-percent divestment, contract extension, and due diligence.

ADITYA BUDIMAN