Statement Of Hizb-ut Tahrir Indonesia: Stop Freeport

With regard to PT Freeport’s Contract of Work which will expire in 2021 and Jokowi Administration which tends to extend its contract until 2041, Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia states:

1. Reject the contract extension plan. It is even obligatory to cancel the ongoing contract of work. The reason is that the contract is contrary to Sharia Laws. Sharia has determined that the abundant minerals currently managed by PT Freeport are public property that belongs to people. The state must manage them so that people could enjoy the benefits of the huge minerals for public welfare. In a hadith narrated by Imam At-Tirmidhi from Abyadh Bin Hamal, it is mentioned that Abyad asked Rasulullah SAW permission so that he could manage a salt mine. Rasulullah generously passed the request. But soon he was reminded by another companion. “O Messenger of Allah, do you know what you have given him? Look, what you have given is (like) running water (ma’u al-‘idda) ” Then (the narrator) said,” He revoked permission of the salt mine from him “.

   It is important to note that in another hadith the Prophet has prohibited to take back the gifts that have been given to someone. But at this time he actually took back the gifts given to Abyad. This suggests that the abundant minerals should not be possessed and managed by individuals or groups of individuals (companies). If the minerals are given to them, the benefits would only be enjoyed by a handful of people as it has happened so far. This is clearly contrary to the principle of common ownership.

2. Everyone knows that the gold mine of PT Freeport Indonesia in Papua is the largest in the world, in terms of the area and its production capacity per year. The extension of the contract is similar to be pleased with the robbery of the people’s belonging. The majority of the shares of the largest gold mine in the world, which is 81.28% owned by Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (US) and 9.36% owned by PT. Indocopper Investama. While the Indonesian government, which in fact represents all Indonesian people, which is the owner of the mine, only has 9.36% of the share. Therefore, the people have to stop the robbery committed by PT Freeport.
3. Call upon all Indonesian people to fight or support the struggle to realize the proper management of minerals and other natural resources. Only if managed properly will the abundant natural resources of the country be able to improve the life of people. Similarly, only through the application of complete sharia in the frame of Khilafah, the management of the natural resources, including the gold mine in Freeport, will be conducted properly in which its benefits will be given for the welfare of the people. The people must not trust in the capitalist system and the secular system any longer because both systems have proven advantageous only for a handful of people while bring misery to the majority of the people.

Spokesman of Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia

Muhammad Ismail Yusanto