Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Legislator Kemal Aziz Stambeol of House Commission XI on financial affairs has expressed appreciation for the government`s efforts to renegotiate its contracts with mining companies in the country.

"The fact that about 65 percent of the number of mining companies has agreed in principle to renegotiate their contracts is in itself an achievement. We hope that all mining firms operating in Indonesia, including Freeport and Newmont, will be cooperative and agree to renegotiate their contracts," Kemal said here on Saturday.

Currently, the government continues to make its efforts to renegotiate the contracts of all mining firms in Indonesia, which cover the acreage of operation areas, divestment, environment management, royalty and the obligation of using domestic services as required by Law No. 4 / 2009 on mining.

At present, the process of contract renegotiation with PT Freeport Indonesia has been going on very toughly. "The one percent royalty that the government received based on the contract from Freeport is too small and not fair," he added.

Therefore, Kemal said, the royalty should be increased to observe the principle of fairness. " I think a fair increase would not harm Freeport," he added.(*)