Is it the reason why INCO under selling pressure ?
JAKARTA (Dow Jones)--Indonesia's government is seeking higher royalties from
nickel miner PT International Nickel Indonesia (INCO.JK) for its 2008-2025
contract amid record-high nickel prices, a government official said
Wednesday.


On 5/30/07, Darma Nasution <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 29 2007 (NSTP) - MALAYSIA'S two largest
telecommunication companies (telcos) and their foreign counterparts may see
their stakes in Indonesian telcos reduced following a review of foreign
ownership rules in the domestic sector.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesia is reviewing
some rules in various sectors including telecommunications as part of the
implementation of a new investment law.

Susilo, however, said there would be no sudden or major changes in the
telecomunication policy.

"We will not make dramatic, abrupt changes without explaining to our
partners," he said.

Susilo was responding to a query by Maxis Communications Bhd chairman Tan
Sri Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor about rumours that the current size of
stakes foreign investors can hold in Indonesian telcos would be reduced,
at a Malaysia-Indonesia business roundtable in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Indonesia currently allows foreigners to own up to 95 per cent of a local
telco.

This is a much more generous limit than many other Asian nations.

Maxis owns 95 per cent of Indonesia's PT Natrindo Telepon Seluler, while
Telekom Malaysia Bhd has a 60 per cent stake in PT Excelcomindo Pratama.

Later, Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Pangestu said Indonesia is working
on a new investment law that would, among other things, spell out foreign
shareholding limits and other conditions in various industry sectors.

"The new list is more transparent and clearer to investors in general.
With the new investment law, we are coming out with a new list.

"Telecommunications will be under the new list. We are still finalising
the list," she added.

Meanwhile, Susilo said Indonesia's economy may expand 6.3 per cent this
year as the Government continues to promote overseas investment and growth
of its energy sector.

Malaysia was Indonesia's biggest foreign investor last year with US$2.2
billion (RM7.44 billion) worth of investments.

Susilo also said Indonesia would sort out various issues highlighted by
the Malaysia-Indonesia Business Council (MIBC).

MIBC co-chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid had sought Susilo's help
to resolve issues such as the status of the right of land usage by Malaysian
companies and a Northport (M) Bhd plan to develop a port in Indonesia, and
the availability of more bridging loans for infrastructure projects such as
building power plants.


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