Japanese FM meets Jokowi, talks about mining law

JAKARTA. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met with Jakarta Governor and president-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Tuesday to talk about a number of issues, including the Indonesian Mining Law, which requires miners to process their mineral ores locally before exporting them.

Kishida and his entourage arrived at 9 a.m. and had an hour-long meeting with Jokowi at City Hall. The minister refused to give a statement to the press after the meeting.

Jokowi, however, acknowledged that Kishida had raised issues regarding the Mining Law during the meeting.

“[The Japanese government] expects further talks about the implementation of the Mining Law. I have emphasized that I will uphold the law and the Constitution, which mandates that all natural resources should be used for the citizens’ well-being. However, I welcome them should they want to talk about technicalities,” Jokowi told reporters after the meeting.

When asked whether they had set a timeline to address the issue, Jokowi said, “after the inauguration.”

Jokowi and vice president-elect Jusuf Kalla are slated to be inaugurated on Oct.20, should the legal dispute at the Constitutional Court be settled in their favor. Rival Prabowo Subianto and running mate Hatta Rajasa are currently challenging the General Elections Commission’s (KPU) declaration of Jokowi and Kalla as the winners.

Furthermore, Jokowi and Kishida also addressed issues on maritime affairs and investment.

“He expects to strengthen relations with Indonesia, particularly on maritime supremacy, because Indonesia and Japan have similar issues. I also conveyed my concerns regarding investment,” he said, adding that he expected to work together with Japan on maritime infrastructure projects.

During the meeting, Kishida delivered a message from Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, inviting Jokowi to visit Japan, according to Jokowi. (Sita W.Dewi)