VIVAnews - The dreams of dozens reporters in climbing Indonesia's highest mountain peak Carstensz have been crushed. The management of PT Freeport Indonesia did not allow them to go through the mining area on their way to Carstensz.
Eventually, the reporters returned to Jayapura on Sunday, October 25.
However, foreign hikers received a different treatment from Freeport. They were allowed to go across.
The reason behind the issue remains unclear. Freeport spokesperson Mindo Pangaribuan said on a phone interview that his company was not responsible for the failure of the reporters of climbing to the top of Carstensz.
“Don’t blame us if the reporters were not allowed to climb. Please file a complaint to Papuan regional government because they are the one who gave a promise and facilitated the climbing,“ Pangaribuan said.
On the prohibition given to the reporters of passing Freeport’s mining area, Pangaribuan said it was not the company’s responsibility as well. “Go ask your facilitator why it was forbidden,“ he said.
Meanwhile, the Expert Staff member of Papuan Governor, Ronald Tapilatu, who joined a group of foreign hikers in the climb, still would not give any comment.
Much earlier, before the expedition was carried out, Tapilatu told reporters that Freeport, through its President Director, Armando, had permitted the hikers to go over Freeport area. The company would even facilitate the hikers until they reach the top of Carstensz.
Freeport’s decision was deplored by the reporters. Radar Timika (Jawa Pos) reporter Mustofa said he was pessimistic since the beginning that Freeport’s strict management would allow the reporters to go across.
Lita Katarina from KBR 68 H Radio said she was disappointed by the committee’s irresponsible responses. “They said it was all clear with Freeport and they would facilitate, that’s why they were coming. But, it turned out to be a big fat zero,“ she said.
Jorsul Satuan from tvone also agrees with Katarina. “We’ve spent four days in Timika without any confirmation. The committees’ earlier statement was nonsense,“ he said.
The Carstensz climb was facilitated by the Papua Promotion House in Europe which belongs to Papuan government. The climb was done for Carstensz Piramid basecamp’s Clean up and survey.
The climb was participated by Indonesian reporters and hikers from countries like Austria, Switzerland and Germany.
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Coverage: Banjir Ambarita| Papua
Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
