Commission VII DPR RI Holds Hearing Meeting with Nickel Smelter Companies in Indonesia

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Commission VII DPR RI held a hearing meeting (RDP) with nickel smelter company bosses, the majority of whom are from China to discuss nickel trade governance in Indonesia on Thursday (8/6/2023) yesterday.

The meeting also involved Acting Director General of Mineral and Coal (Dirjen Minerba) Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Muhammad Wafid and Director General of ILMATE Ministry of Industry Taufik Bawazierdan.

When the meeting started, Deputy Chairman of Commission VII DPR RI Eddy Soeparno, who chaired the meeting, asked each smelter boss to briefly introduce himself and his company.

However, it turned out that many smelter bosses were unable to attend, while most of the smelter bosses who were present could not speak Indonesian.

Some of the main directors (presidents) of companies who are foreign citizens (WNA), in the end introduced themselves using English and Mandarin.

Also read: Minister of ESDM: There are 7 Bauxite Smelter Projects which are still in the form of open land

Hearing the use of this foreign language, Eddy also protested because in official parliamentary meetings it was supposed to use Indonesian.

“This is an official parliamentary session and all parliamentary sessions are conducted in the Indonesian language. These are the rules,” he said.

“So you have to be represented by someone who can speak Indonesian. We will be waiting for your presentation, so we hope that your (translator) person will be present in this room,” said Eddy.

As a result, the directors of nickel smelter companies who are foreigners are finally accompanied by translators or corporate communications managers when delivering their presentations.

Also read: The Ministry of Manpower Hopes the Smelter Industry Becomes a Dignified Industry

On the other hand, Commission VII of the DPR RI also complained that many nickel smelter company bosses did not attend the meeting.