Jakarta – The assemblyman for Irian Jaya has warned controversial mining company PT Freeport Indonesia not to interfere in the country's political affairs, including the election of the Mimika regency chief. "The company should only take care of its gold, copper and silver mines, and has no right to take part in the nomination of a Mimika regency head," he stressed.

Anthon, the legislator, said the giant American firm was suspected of trying to secure a sympathetic candidate for the post of Mimika regency chief in order to safeguard its assets, partly through suppressing the people who live near the mining sites.

Anthon who is also Secretary of the Human Rights Commission of the Irian Jaya assembly, said the giant mining company was guilty of money politics, which had seriously hampered the process of true democracy.

He has also asked imcumbent Mimika regency head Titus O. Poterayauw to give a report on the successes and failures of the development activities in the region during his leadership. "Potereyauw must be frank and honest with his successes and failures so that others could have a say whether Potereyauw still deserved or not for a re-election," he said.