Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of Precious Metal Refinery Plant of PT Freeport Indonesia, in Gresik Regency, East Java Province, March 17, 2025
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Good afternoon,
May peace be upon us all,
Shalom,
Salve,
Om Swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of Virtue.
Distinguished Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of State-owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, Governor of East Java Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Commander of Military Area (Pangdam), Regional Police Chief (Kapolda), and Regent of Gresik.
Distinguished Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, President Director of PT Freeport [Indonesia] Tony Wenas, management and employees of PT Freeport Indonesia present here, top leaders of state-owned enterprises present here including President Director of Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID) Maroef Sjamsoeddin, the medias, and several editors-in-chief who may also be present here.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have actually invited our 7th President, Mr. Jokowi, but he is unable to attend. So perhaps, I have been destined to inaugurate this plant even though the project was initiated during President Jokowi’s administration. This is what we call a blessing. Today seems to be a good day, March 17th, 2025. Seventeen consists of one and seven. One plus seven equals 8, and eight is a good number in my life.
I am the 8th President of the Republic of Indonesia. When I served in the army, my code number was 08. If my code number was 07, I might be the 7th President. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence, another 8. Today’s date is 17, one plus seven equals eight. I think eight is a good number. Thank you Freeport for choosing this date as the inauguration date.
Let’s say all the praise and gratitude to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, the Almighty God, the Creator of the universe. We are grateful for all the blessings and health that have been granted to us so we can be present at this wonderful and amicable event.
Distinguished Guests,
The establishment of processing industry is really important for our state and nation since it can process and refine raw materials into refined precious metals such as gold and silver, as well as other products like cobalt. We wish our country to sell not only raw materials but also final products with very high added value. We are grateful to have this facility, this industry. I was informed that this industry, this metal refining plant, especially for gold, is the largest in the world in terms of both upstream and downstream within a single entity. So I think this is something we should be thankful for.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today’s event must remind us all that we, as a country with abundant natural resources, must be grateful. Currently, Indonesia has the sixth largest gold reserves in the world, the sixth largest gold reserves. We want to manage our abundant resources effectively. There are indeed some problems, such as illegal mining in many places, gold smuggling out of the country without going through the proper process, which cause losses to the nation, the people, and the state. We will take action against those problems and investigate them thoroughly. We must continuously eradicate all forms of deviation and smuggling. Smuggling goods out of the country harms our revenue, while smuggling foreign goods into Indonesia also threatens our industries and the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of our people.
My Fellow Countrymen,
We must thank all sides, including Freeport-McMoRan who has been operating in Indonesia for decades, since 1968 or 1967, if I am not mistaken. It has been 58 years, almost 60 years. I would also like to thank our friends from Freeport, from Freeport, from Phoenix, Arizona. Please pass my best regards to Richard and all my friends there. I just mentioned that Freeport-McMoRan has been present in Indonesia for 58 years, I think, 58 years. And you’ve been a good corporate citizen, a good corporate presence in Indonesia; you’ve contributed a lot to our economy. And we would like to see you continue your participation, and your presence in Indonesia.
They have been doing business here for quite a long time and have contributed greatly to our economy. I also think they have set a good example of a good, responsible corporation. Now, they prove it by creating downstreaming industry in Indonesia which we appreciate. I think East Java should preserve it and serve as a great host for them so we can emerge as an attractive destination for investment, for companies who want to do business and participate in Indonesia. Indonesia has a bright future. I just had a meeting with the Red and White Cabinet members and we have decided to commence around 30 big projects this year. We will assess 20 or 21 projects first, then we will proceed to complete around 30 big projects which are projected to not only support downstream industry because we will also keep investing in the strategic upstream industry.
In this regard, we see that other sectors are very important as well. Agriculture and fishery sectors have the potential to generate a large sum of foreign exchange while simultaneously create significant employment opportunities. Based on our estimation, investments that will be started this year will create around 8 million job opportunities. We are very much optimistic and grateful to have natural resources. It is our duties and responsibilities to manage them in the best possible way and in an orderly manner, with good governance, transparency, and the highest level of accountability.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This could serve as a new strength and energy for Indonesia’s future. I think that is all from me. Congratulations to Freeport Indonesia. I also thank its parent company, Freeport-McMoRan. Congratulations and we look forward to a strong partnership in the years to come. The last time I visited the mine, I think, it was 27 years ago. Now I’m a bit older, I hope I’m a bit wiser. Maybe I can get an invitation to visit again. I remember the food in your cafeteria was very good.
I think that is all. If I talk too much, people might think I am on a campaign. In fact, the campaign is still a long way off. But they say, well, a politician never stops campaigning.
I thank you all. Thank you Madam Governor. East Java is indeed wonderful. I visit here every month and I always find something new here: a new factory, a new building—this is incredible. How many people live in East Java? 50 million? 41.6 [million], yes, it is more populous than Malaysia. Maybe Mrs. Khofifah is more suited to serve as a Prime Minister. Alright, thank you, good luck with your work, and may we all look forward to a prosperous future together.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
May peace be upon us all,
Shalom,
Salve,
Om Swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of Virtue.
Thank you.
(RAS/TM)