Saturday, December 2, 2023

Sulawesi Nickel Smelter to Resume Operation After Deadly Clash

Heru Andriyanto
January 16, 2023 | 7:45 pm
SHARE
National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo addressed the media at the presidential palace in Jakarta on January 16, 2023. (Videography)
National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo addressed the media at the presidential palace in Jakarta on January 16, 2023. (Videography)

Jakarta. Nickel mining company Gunbuster Nickel Industry will resume operations at its smelter in Central Sulawesi on Tuesday, three days after hundreds of local workers staged a rally and burned heavy machinery and vehicles which triggered clashes and killed at least two workers, National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said on Monday.

Listyo said the clash began after some workers forced others to go on strike and they turned violent over rumors that a colleague had been beaten by foreign workers at the facility.

Elements of the union called for a strike amid ongoing negotiations about their demand for better work conditions, the police chief said.

“The provocation led to attacks but now police managed to control the situation. At least 71 people were arrested and so far 17 of them have been named criminal suspects,” Listyo said in a news conference at the presidential palace in Jakarta streamed live by BTV.

Advertisement
Sulawesi Nickel Smelter to Resume Operation After Deadly Clash
Screen capture of an amateur video shows protesters burning dump trucks belonging to mining company Gunbuster Nickel Industry in North Morowali, Central Sulawesi, on January 14, 2023.

A joint force of 548 personnel from the police and the army has been deployed to the scene to ensure security, Listyo added.

“The GNI smelter will resume operations tomorrow morning and I call on all community members and workers not to be easily provoked by unfounded claims,” he said, mentioning the company by initials.

“Police will take stern measures against those committed to vandalism and anarchy and it is our hope that there will be no recurrence of this. The National Police and the TNI [Indonesian Military] are committed to safeguarding and securing government policies, including programs related to investment,” Listyo said.

The nickel smelter in the district of North Morowali that absorbs large investments from China is part of the central government’s ambition to boost exports of processed minerals and commodities under President Joko Widodo’s policy to stop the export of raw commodities.

Listyo denied allegations that the clash was triggered by the discriminatory policies of the company, which has over 1,000 Chinese employees.

“The company has around 1,300 foreign skilled workers and 11,000 Indonesian workers. The number of local workers will be increased to 30,000 in the near future,” Listyo said.

“The decision to resume operation was taken by the management after they were convinced that security had been restored,” he said.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

POPULAR READS


News 13 hours ago

Philippines Opens Monitoring Base on Remote Island in Disputed South China Sea

Thitu is one of nine islands, islets and atolls that have been occupied by Philippine forces since the 1970s
News 14 hours ago

President’s Office Refutes Allegations of Interference in Setya Novanto Case

Former House Speaker Setya Novanto is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence after being convicted of corruption charges.
Special Updates 14 hours ago

Teras by Plataran to Open at Pondok Indah Mall 2

Teras by Plataran will open at Pondok Indah Mall (PIM) 2 in Jakarta this Sunday
Lifestyle 20 hours ago

Foreign Tourist Arrivals Drop 8.57 Pct in October

BPS reported that foreign tourist arrivals had seen a 8.57 percent drop in October compared to the previous month.
News Dec 1, 2023 | 11:48 am

Indonesia Vows Rock Solid Support for Palestine

Indonesia will continue its push for a two-state solution.

Popular Tag


Opini Title

COPYRIGHT © 2023 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED