BPK Forms Team for Newmont Purchase

VIVAnews – The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) stressed having received the request from the government and the House of Representatives regarding the scrutiny over the purchase of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara’s shares.

“The letter came only yesterday. The House’s report came a day earlier than that of the government. We are about to form a team and collect the data,” said BPK Chairperson Hadi Poernomo when met at BPK office’s auditorium, Jakarta, today.

According to Hadi, the House of Representatives asked BPK to look into the purchase of 7 percent of Newmont shares by the government. “The House wanted the finance minister’s permission about the purchase sale agreement be checked, whether its lawful or not,” he said.

As regards the government’s request, said Hadi, it is about the scrutiny over the 24 percent of the shares. The scrutiny will include the whole process of the share purchase. “The process of the purchase will be checked, including the budget. The flow of the money and the documents, everything,” Hadi went on.

BPK, said Hadi, cannot yet determine when the scrutiny over the two reports could be completed. This is because his party must first see the scope of the problems. “The target is as soon as possible. But we must see the scope of the problems also,” he said.

He said that as regards the scrutiny, BPK will not be biased and will give equal treatment to the two parties. “All will be treated equally, as BPK is independent,” he stressed.

Translated by Indah Lestari