Government Responds to Lawsuit by Newmont
24 July 2014 15:38 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chief Mahendra Siregar said the Indonesian government had responded to PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara's lawsuit on the International Center for Settlement of Investment Dispute (ICSID). "The government has sent a reply to the ICSID regarding Newmont’s lawsuit," said Mahendra today.
The substance of the letter is that the Indonesian government rejects Newmont’s proposal to shorten the deadline of the arbitrary. Newmont requested the ICSID that the deadline is 30 days since the lawsuit was filed. "The government wants the time period determined by the ICSID is 90 days for the defendant to prepare the arbitrary," said Mahendra, who was appointed as the technical team chairman to respond to Newmont’s lawsuit.
The government has also prepared other strategic measure, which is hiring a legal team that can represent the Indonesian government on the whole process of arbitration. "This legal team will work with the government to recommend the arbitrary representing the government," he said.
Mahendra believed Newmont’s lawsuit on the ICSID will not affect investment in the mining sector since most mining companies have almost finished negotiation and the prospect of smelter construction is also good.
RAYMUNDUS RIKANG R.W