Jokowi Asserts Readiness to Face Lawsuit for Stopping Bauxite Exports

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said he is ready to face international lawsuits against the ban on mineral exports, which will be enforced in 2023. Indonesia is set to bar the exports of raw materials for bauxite, copper, and tin.

“We need to have the courage to do that. If we never try, we won't know if we'll win or lose,” he said at the 46th Anniversary of the Sebelas Maret University (UNS), Surakarta, Central Java, Friday, March 11.

Indonesia had stopped the export of nickel raw materials as of January 1, 2020. Consequently, the European Union filed a lawsuit against Indonesia to the International Trade Organization (WTO).

“It has not been completed until now,” the state head said of the progress of the lawsuit. However, he expressed confidence about his policies as the effects have been seen.

Seven years ago, he mentioned, Indonesia's exports in nickel raw material was around US$1 to 1.5 billion. After the ban, the commodity downstream industry occurred and exports resumed in the form of semi-finished and finished products.

Jokowi said the exports value per 2021 rose to US$20.8 billion. Though the lawsuit over the nickel ban has not ended, Indonesia is determined to stop the export of raw materials for bauxite, copper, and tin next year. “It's okay to get a suit. We will not necessarily lose or win either,” he said.

Read: Indonesia Still Withholds Fuel Price Hike: Jokowi 

FAJAR PEBRIANTO