Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Enjoy Drafting Business Contracts

  • IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE MY LAST POSTING
  • Well, this week I am really busy with my work where I have to complete my assignment by the end of this week
  • Yes, as a Business Lawyer you really have to be prepared of getting new assignments from your Clients.
  • To the extent the payment is within your budget you will enjoy doing such assignments
  • The assignments are drafting business contracts to serve your Client's needs.
  • I really enjoy doing my task in drafting business contracts
  • It makes you feel comfort and you can explore your ideas in incorporating the significant clauses to protect the business interests and desires of your Client.
  • I really enjoy working such legal drafting
  • it is like painting in which you can express your ideas in such contracts
  • Thus, the important thing is that you enjoy doing your tasks as a business lawyer.
Cheers Jakarta, March 31, 2009 Agung Supomo Suleiman

Agung Supomo Suleiman

Senior Partner

Law Firm Suleiman Agung & CO

Blog Law Firm : http://www.sacolaw.blogspot.com

Email : agungsuleiman@gmail.com

Monday, March 16, 2009

Business Law Certainty

  • Yes, business law certainty is very important and significant for investors who are investing their monies and capital in a certain country Including Indonesia.
  • Most significant certainty issues relates to divestment issues, certainty of transferring their profits/ dividends to their original country or place of bank where the investors would like to transfer their monies and funds from the place/country they conduct and invest their monies to run its business.
  • protection of its investment/capital from the Government, in event of nationalization issues of their business
  • wants to have assurance of getting the same treatments as foreign investors with the local national investors
  • assuring that investors can place their expertise/foreign professionals/ executives members in the organization of the business entity that they had established / formed to run their business in a certain country.
  • certainty of land titles as well as the duration of using / benefiting such land usage by the foreign investors, to ensure sustainability of their place of business in running its business operation in such country.
  • employment rules particularly relating to minimum salary, benefits, compensation, right to hire and fire as well as flexibility in engaging the manpower due to the uncertainty of the global economy.
The above items are some of the significant elements which investors may be concerned of before deciding to make investments in a certain place or country. Jakarta, March 16, 2009

Agung Supomo Suleiman

Senior Partner

Law Firm Suleiman Agung & CO

Blog Law Firm : http://www.sacolaw.blogspot.com

Email : agungsuleiman@gmail.com

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Glance View Minerals and Coal Mining Law 4 Year 2009

  • GLANCE VIEW of the NEW Minerals & Coal Mining Law No. 4 Year 2009

  • After having seen in a glance on this New Minerals and Coal Mining Law No. 4 Year 2009, you may found some interesting issues as follows:
  • This New Law regulates the issuance of Mining Licenses/Permits which is granted by several level of Government Institutions /Officers relating to the Mining Activates depending on the classification of such Mining Area (WP) and type of Mining Activities.
  • This Mining Area (WP) consists of 3 three categories namely:
  • (i) WUP (Mining Area which is part of the WP which has contained the availability of data, potential and/or geology information, (ii) WPR (Peoples Mining Area) and (iii) WPN (State Reserves Mining Area).
  • This WP is determined by the Central Government, after having coordination with the Regent/District Government and consultation with the Peoples House Of representatives.
  • This coordination is conducted by the respective Regional Government based on the data and information which is possessed and owned by the Central Government and the Regional Government.
  • Relating to State Reserves Mining Area, it is quite interesting since the Government as a matter of National Strategy with the approval of the Peoples House of Representative with considering the regional aspiration determines this WPN ( State Reserves Mining Area).
  • The reservation is related to certain commodities and regional conservation in the framework of maintaining the ecosystem balance and environment.
  • The WPN which is determined for certain commodity can be managed (determined) on its wide / extensive of area with the approval of the Peoples House of Representatives.
  • Based on the explanation of Article 27 of the Minerals and Coal Mining Law, what is meant by certain commodity are among others : ore, tin, gold, iron, nickel, and bauxite and coal.
  • The determination of this WPN for the national interest is to push the national economic growth, national energy and industry strategy endurance, and to increase the national competitiveness in facing the global challenge.
  • This Area of WPN which will be developed for certain commodities as described above shall be changed its status to become WUPK ( Special Mining Area which could be developed).
  • What makes this issue interesting is because this element of Reserves Mining Area which shall than be changed into the status of WUPK ( Special Mining Area which could be developed) is something new being introduced in this New Minerals and Mining Law No.4 Year 2009.
Jakarta, March 12, 2009

Agung Supomo Suleiman

Senior Partner

Law Firm Suleiman Agung & CO

Blog Law Firm : http://www.sacolaw.blogspot.com

Email : agungsuleiman@gmail.com

Scheme of Governments Role Law 4 Year 2009,

GOVERNMENT'S AUTHORITY

In management of mineral & coal mining,

includes among others :

Mineral & Coal Mining Law No 4 Year 2009

Article 6

Art. 7

Art. 8

CENTRAL Government

Provincial Government

Regent / City Government

CONDUCTING

Inventory, survey, research, exploration in framework of getting mineral & coal data and information as material for setting WUP & WPN

(par. 1.p)

inventory, survey, research, exploration in framework of getting mineral & coal data & information pursuant

to its authority

(par.1.e)

inventory, survey, research, exploration in framework of getting mineral & coal data and information

(par.1 d)

managing geology information, mineral & coal potential resources, & mining information in national level (par.1. q)

managing geology information, mineral & coal potential resources, and mining information within regional (daerah) / provincial area ( par.1.f)

managing geology information, mineral & coal potential resources, and mining information within regent (kabupaten) / city ( par.1.f)

Determining ruling law - Indonesian New Minerals & Coal Mining Law 4 Year 2009

GOVERNMENT'S AUTHORITY.

In management of mineral & coal mining, includes among others :

Law No 4 Year 2009

Article 6

Art. 7

Art. 8

CENTRAL Government

Provincial Government

Regent /

City Government

Determining

National Policy

(par.1a)

making ruling law

(par.1b)

making regional ruling law (par.1a)

making regional ruling law (par.1a)

National standard, guidance, criteria

(par.1c)

National Mineral &

Coal Mining License System

(par.1d)

WP after coordination with Regional Government and consultation with House Of Peoples Representatives

(par.1e)

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Granting Licenses/Permits

GOVERNMENT'S AUTHORITY.

In management of mineral & coal mining, includes among others :

Law No 4 Year 2009

Article 6

Art. 7

Art. 8

CENTRAL Government

Provinsial Government

Regent/ City Government

GRANTING

& Conducting

IUP, development, public conflict settlement and supervision of mining activities which exist at cross provincial area and / or sea area exceeding 12 (twelve) miles from coastal line.(par. 1) f

IUP, development, public conflict settlement and supervision of mining activities crossing regional/city and or sea area 4(four) miles up to 12(twelve) miles (par.1 b.)

IUP & IPR development, public conflict settlement and supervision of mining activities within regional/city and or sea area up to 4 (four) miles. (par.1.b)

IUP, development, public conflict settlement and supervision of mining activities which exist at the cross provincial area and / or sea area exceeding 12 (twelve) miles from the coastal line .(paragraph 1 g)

IUP , development, public conflict settlement and supervision of mining production operations activities crossing regional/city and or sea area 4(four) miles up to 12(twelve) ( par.1 c)

IUP & IPR, development, public conflict settlement and supervision of mining production operations activities within regional/city and or sea area up to 4 (four) miles(par.1.c)

IUP, development, public conflict settlement and supervision of mining activities which has direct environmental impact crossing regent/city and / or sea area exceeding 12 (twelve) miles from the coastal line ( par. 1 .h.)

IUPK Exploration & IUPK Production Operation

IUP, development, public conflict settlement and supervision of mining activities which has direct environmental impact crossing regent/city and / or sea area 4(four) miles up to 12 (twelve) miles ( par. 1. d.)

Evaluating

IUP Production Operation which is issued by the regional Government, which caused environmental damage & which does not apply well mining rules

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Indonesia Significant Points Domestic Interest In Minerals and COAL

NEW ERA OF Indonesian Mining, rulings which changes the COW era to become Permits to conduct the Mining Business Activities.
  • LEGALIZATION & Effect. On 12th January 2009, the New Minerals and Coal Mining Law No 4 Year 2009 had been legalized and signed by the President and being enacted as Law by the Minister Of Justice and Human Rights (New Mineral and Coal Mining Law No.4/2009) This New Minerals and Coal Law No.4/2009 will take into effect as of the date it is enacted as Law as above mentioned.
  • BEGINNING OF NEW ERA. This New Law becomes the NEW ERA of Indonesian Mining Law, which changes the COW Era and the Kuasa Pertambangan (KP) Mining Authority system that has been exercised for the last 40 years since 1967. The COW /KP system has been replaced by an area based permit / licensing system. Under this New Law there are several Permits to conduct the mining business activities which is attached and linked to several classifications of Mining Areas as regulated under such New Minerals and Coal Law No.4/2009
  • AUTHORIZATION. Based on Article 4 of such New Mineral and Coal Mining Law No.4/2009 the Mineral and Coal as the natural resources which is non-renewal is the national wealth which is possessed by the State for the largest prosperity of the people. This authorization of minerals and the coal by the State is performed by the Government and /or the Regional Government.
  • DOMESTIC INTEREST. Article 5 of New Mineral and Coal Mining Law No.4/2009 states that for the national interest, the Government after consultation with the DPR (Peoples’s House of Representative) can determine a policy for the prioritization of minerals and coal for the domestic interest. This national interest can be done by controlling the production and export. In implementing such control, the Government has the authority to determine the amount of production of each commodities per year per province. The Local Government is obliged to comply with the rulings of such amount as determined by the Central Government.
We have also published this at ALLVOICES GLOBAL MEDIA Jakarta, February 5, 2009

Agung Supomo Suleiman

Senior Partner

Law Firm Suleiman Agung & CO

Blog Law Firm : http://www.sacolaw.blogspot.com

Email : agungsuleiman@gmail.com

Clasification of Mining Area in the New MINERALS AND COAL MINING LAW NO 4 Year 2009

  • The New Minerals & Coal Mining Areas formed several Mining Areas based permits system, which was not found under the previous law :
Chapter I Article 1 There are several meaning /classification of Mining Area :
  • Wilayah Pertambangan /Mining Area, referred to as WP, is an Area which owns potential mineral and/or coal and is not limited with government administration which form part of the national layout (tata ruang)
  • Wilayah Usaha Pertambangan, Mining Business Area, referred as WUP, is part of the WP which had owned availability of data, potential, and /or geological information
  • Wilayah Izin Usaha Pertambangan, Mining Business Area Permit, referred to as WIUP, is an area which granted to the holder of IUP
  • Wilayah Pertambangan Rakyat, People's Mining Area, referred to as WPR, is part of the WP place where the people's mining business activities is conducted
  • Wilayah Pencadangan Negara,State Reservation Area, referred to as WPN, is part of the WP which is reserved for the national strategic interest.
  • Wilayah Usaha Pertambangan Khusus,The Special Mining Business Area, referred to as WUPK, is part of the WPN which can be usahakan (businessed / efforted) .
  • Wilayah Izin Usaha Pertambangan Khusus / The Special Mining Business Area Permit within the WUPK, referred to as WIUPK, is an area which is granted to the holder of IUPK.
Published in ALLVOICES GLOBAL MEDIA

Agung Supomo Suleiman

Senior Partner

Law Firm Suleiman Agung & CO

Blog Law Firm : http://www.sacolaw.blogspot.com

Email : agungsuleiman@gmail.com

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

NEW MINERALS AND COAL MINING LAW NO 4 Year 2009

  • NEW ERA Indonesian Mining. LAW changes COW Era to become Permits /Licences to conduct the Mining Business Activities in Indonesia

  • It is really interested in studying such New Minerals and Coal Mining Law, since it appears there is a significant change in the arrangement whereby the Government is providing permits /licences to Mining Minerals and Coal activities which according to the writings / articles from the media/ news, it indicates that the concept of Contract Of Work ( "COW") which was made by the Government and the Mining Companies as the basis of the contractual relations and the Kuasa Pertambangan (KP) mechanism, which was practiced for the last 40 years was changed and replaced by this Permits /Licenses of Mining Minerals and Coals.
  • It is interesting to observe this new law, since as a Partner of the Law Firm of Suleiman Agung & Co, ( who operates for more than 10 1/2 Years since June 1998), I was formerly experiencing working as in-house Legal Counsel for 5 Years in PT Freeport Indonesia Company ( PT FI), a cooper USA mining company, who operates its mining operations in Indonesia, where COW was the main agreement between PT FI as the Mining Company and the Government.
  • The other interesting part is because, I was also experiencing working for 5 Years as in-house Legal Counsel in Huffco Indonesia (Virginia Company) a USA Oil and Gas Company who operates in Indonesia, and produces Gas/LNG at Bontang, where Production Sharing Contract (PSC) was being the basis of their presence in conducting the oil and gas operations in Indonesia.
  • all the oil /gas and the mining of minerals and coal are natural resources from Indonesia.
  • The Scheme mechanism treatment in mining such natural resources from Indonesia is really very interesting to be observed, among others from the history of such mining rulings, which were introduced / developed by the various governments/ authorized institution and the people who were represented by their Representatives in the peoples house of Representatives/Parliament.
  • For instance, relating to Oil and Gas, during the Dutch period, the concept which was introduced and recognized is sort of concession, where Private Companies may be granted a concession by the Authorized Institution.
  • When Indonesia stated its independence, based on Article 33(3) of the Indonesian Basic Constitution Law Year 1945 , the oil and gas is the wealth of the people, where, the people will grant Power or Mining Authority to the State to mine such oil and gas, through forming PT Pertamina ( as representing the government /people) during that time , where as the holder of such Mining Authority they can /allowed to enter into a cooperation with private companies.
  • Contract of Work ( COW) was being introduced as the basis of the relation or arrangement between the Government or PT Pertamina with such Oil/Gas Company.
  • In the progress Production Sharing Contract (PSC) was introduced where in the transition period the COW was replaced / amended to become PCS, examples of this, is experienced by PT Stanvac Indonesia.
  • In the COW concept, the Mining Contractor or the Oil/Gas Contrator shall perform the Mining activities, absorb all the expenses and costs and the risks, without any cost recovery mechanism by the Government.
  • Whereas under a PSC arrangement, the Oil/Gas Contractor shall take the risks, and pay all costs and expenses by itself, but shall be cost recovered by the Government or Pertamina/ now BP Migas, after commercial production is declared.
  • One of the most interesting part is that the rulings of oil and gas is differentiated from the rulings of minerals and coal.
  • Having briefly giving some illustration of this matter, while studying this New Minerals and Coal Mining Law, I shall try to forward some significant items, and hope can digest in understanding this new law and shall try to communicate it with the readers of this blog.
This New Minerals and Coal Mining Law No. 4 Year 2009, contains XXVI Chapters and 175 Articles
  • In the Recitals of this New Law its states that Minerals and Coal which is contained in the Indonesian Legal Mining Area of Indonesia is the natural wealth which cannot be renewable as gift from The One ALL Mighty God, has the important role to fulfill the life needs of many people, thus it has to be controlled /possessed by the State to give real value added for the national economy in the effort to reached the people's welfare and prosperous justifiably.
  • the mineral and coal mining is mining business outside the geothermal, oil and gas and land water which has the important role in providing real value added to the national economic growth and sustainable regional development.
  • it considers that the Law No 11 Year 1967 concerning the Regulation of the Basic Mining is no longer in accordance so that changes are required upon the rulings in the mineral and coal mining, which can manage and effort the potential mineral and coal in a manner which is independent, competent, transparent, competitive, efficient, environmental vision, to secure the sustainable national growth.
Based on the above considerations it is needed to form the Mineral and Coal Mining Law. The considerations also refers to Article 5 (1) , Article 20 and Article 33 (2) and (3) of the State Basic Constitution Law 1945.
PERMITS :
  • There are several permits as shown in Chapter I Article 2 namely :
  • Izin Usaha Pertambangan/Mining Business Permit ( IUP) which is the permit to conduct mining business.
  • IUP Explorasi /Exploration Mining Business Permit which is a business permit provided to conduct stages of general survey, exploration and feasibility studies.
  • IUP Operasi Produksi (Production Operation Business Permit) which is business permit provided after the completion of the performance of IUP Explorasi to conduct stages of production operations activities.
  • IzinPertambanganRakyat (IPR) / Peoples Mining Permit which is permit to conduct mining business in the peoples mining territory with the area of limited territory and investment.
  • Izin Usaha Pertambangan Khusus, Special Mining Business Permit (IUPK), which is a permit to conduct mining business in the special mining business permit territory.
  • IUPK Explorasi (Exploration IUPK) which is the business permit provided to conduct general survey, exploration, and the feasibility studies in the special mining business territory
  • IUPK Operasi Produksi (Production Operation IUPK) which is the business permit provided after the completion of the performance of IUPK Explorasi to conduct the stages of production operation in the special mining business territory
Jakarta, March 4, 2009

Agung Supomo Suleiman

Senior Partner

Law Firm Suleiman Agung & CO

Also published in ALLVOICES GLOBAL MEDIA

Blog Law Firm : http://www.sacolaw.blogspot.com

Email : agungsuleiman@gmail.com

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Business Legal Exposures

  • As business Lawyer you have to be aware of the legal exposures that are involved in the business activities of your Clients.
  • What kind of legal exposures that had been highlighted really depends upon the nature of the business issues transactions that you are being requested by your Client to be prepared and provided.
  • if the issue is that your Client is trying to seek funds which are required to support its business, you then have to make sure that such funds are really available at the right time as been required by your Client to support their business.
  • the time table of funds available and when and how does such funds will be disbursed and made available to your Client is very significant.
  • The other issue that you have to make sure is what kind of arrangements are most beneficial to your Client and the party who is obligated to raise and provide such funds.
  • Are the fund to be treated as loan which had to be repaid back by the fund provider?
  • or are the funds going to be treated as investment injected by the fund provider to be treated as investment and capital paid up subscribed by such new investor.
  • you have also to make sure whether the funds will be allocated in special account which shall be dedicated to the projects of your Clients
  • or will there be a joint account established by both the new investor and your client where joint signature for disbursement of the funds are required.
  • those are some of the elements of the legal exposures that you as a business corporate lawyer must be concerned of.
  • well, the most important and significant part of the deal is how to ensure that the business deal transactions for such project between your Client and the new investor will be mutually beneficiary to both parties.
  • the essence of a business is really how to make success to the" Project" which will benefit all parties concern.
  • As a business lawyer you have to ensure that the transactions are clearly drafted to be communicative as a tool of "Meetings of Minds" by the Parties concerned, which can reflect and express their desires and wants to make the "Business Project" fruit full.
Jakarta, March 1, 2009

Agung Supomo Suleiman

Senior Partner

Law Firm Suleiman Agung & CO

Blog Law Firm : http://www.sacolaw.blogspot.com

Email : agungsuleiman@gmail.com

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