New Freeport Chief Advised to Embrace Local Community

Padangekspres.net-Timika, Papua. Newly appointed president director of Freeport Indonesia, Rozik B Soetjipto, should embrace Amungme and Kamoro tribal community figures living around the company’s mining area in Timika, a tribal leader said here Monday.

Andreas Anggaibak said after the occurrence of the 3-month Freeport workers’ strike in 2011, the miner’s management should establish closer relations with  local community figures.

“If necessary, we will form an independent team consisting of neutral people to assist Freeport. The protracted workers’ strike in 2011 should be an important lesson for Freeport,” Anggaibak added.


He said Freeport was inclined to have more trust in the police and military to keep its mining operations safe, while local community figures were only used as “fire extinguishers.” 

“They should know who owns this country, who owns the land and the mountains. Freeport should have closer relations with local community figures and listen to the grassroots’ aspirations,” said Anggaibak, who was chairman of Mimika district’s regional legislative council in the period 1999-2004.