The government's enthusiasm to acquire a 51 percent in Freeport Indonesia shares deserves praise, although there is a potential trap. Instead of being acquired by the state, the Freeport shares could fall into the hands of rent seekers. Indonesia had the bitter experience with the divestments of two other mining companies: Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) and Newmont Nusa Tenggara.

The government must be ready to anticipate the same occurrence. Coordinati