TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government is yet to clarify the fiscal policy that will be made for PT Freeport Indonesia, which is currently holding a special mining license. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan said that he would leave the matter in Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati's hands.

"It's Finance Ministry's domain. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani will decide which policy to be implemented," Jonan said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday, February 13, 2017.

On February 10, 2017, Freeport has officially changed its status from a contract work holder to a special mining license holder, following the issuance of Energy Minister's Regulation No. 6/2016 that derives from Government Regulation No. 1/2017. The new bill principally allows contract of work holders to export mineral concentrates provided that they acquire a special mining license.

Before agreeing to change its status as a special mining license holder, Freeport sent a letter to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry asking for “incentives” and guarantees that include legal certainty and fiscal policy.

Energy and Mineral Resources Deputy Minister Arcandra Tahar earlier said that there would be no room to negotiate for Freeport. In other words, the request for incentives would not be granted, since Freeport must comply with the prevailing fiscal regulations.

Jonan said that he would discuss the issue with Sri Mulyani to decide which fiscal policies that will apply for Freeport.

ISTMAN M.P.