Legal Expert: KPK Should Investigate Freeport Scandal

jpnn.com - JAKARTA – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is expected to investigate the Freeport scandal involving the House of Representatives speaker Setya Novanto. The meeting held between Novanto and Freeport representatives could have violated the criminal code.

“KPK needs to take immediate action in Freeport scandal. There is some legal issue in the scandal,” Coordinator of Advocacy and Legal Aid KAGAMA of Gajah Mada University, Tito Hananta Kusuma revealed through a short message text on Friday, November 20.

In his opinion, KPK needs to investigate if there is a scheme to bribe Novanto as the recording transcript of the meeting revealed both parties discussing about shares division. “KPK can investigate  if there is a scheme to bribery and possible abuse of power by government officials in that case,” Tito said.

Furthermore, Tito stated that PT Freeport Indonesia has been entrancing for the avaricious. The company based in the United States manages gold mines worth trillions of rupiah.

For that reason Tito advises KPK to oversee intensively the process of Freeport’s divestment and its contract of work extension. One way of doing it is by conducting legal study and proposing solution on its divestment.

“On one side, Indonesian government should respect its International Standard Contract with Freeport, but on the other side, the government has to uphold nation’s interest so Papua’s natural resources management can also be beneficial for its people,” said Tito who is also a legal practitioner. (dil/apa/jpnn)