Jakarta – The Indonesian Military (TNI) would not ask US gold and copper mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia to provide financial contributions to its soldiers.

"It's up to Freeport [whether to continue giving the assistance or not]; but we would welcome the good will from Freeport," TNI Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto told reporters after a ceremony in the Navy's marine squad on Thursday.

He said the military would continue to protect Freeport interests with or without their financial assistance because "it is considered a vital asset".

Endriartono admitted that the military and Freeport had signed an agreement over food and allowances for soldiers who guarded Freeport's 2,800-square-kilometer site.

Freeport confirmed that it had paid TNI and police security contributions totaling US$5.6 million last year.