Indonesia: Lobby groups want more talks on taxation bill

• Nov 27, 2018

Two major lobby groups, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), have welcomed the House of Representatives’ decision to delay the deliberation of the General Taxation System (KUP) bill.

They argue that the postponement of the bill’s deliberation, which was initially targeted to be completed this year, would give stakeholders adequate time to voice their aspirations.

“It is not a proper time to deliberate the bill now. It is unlikely to be implemented in this political year (ahead of legislative and presidential elections). We need to talk more about the problem inventory list (DIM) in the bill,” said head of Kadin’s taxation committee Herman Juwono on Monday as quoted by kontan.co.id.

Kadin was particularly concerned about the many articles on criminal charges against taxpayers, both institutions and individuals, while there were less articles that could be used to charge tax officers, Herman added.

“Tax violations, both administrative errors and fraud, not only involve taxpayers but also tax officers,” he added.

Meanwhile, Apindo chairman Hariyadi Sukamdani said that Kadin in particular rejected a plan to establish a new institution to replace the TaxationDirectorate General, which is currently under the Finance Ministry.

“We hope there will be no new institution. Independent institutions often become politicized,” Hariyadi said, adding that therefore, the delay of the bill’s deliberation would be used to discuss various issues in the bill more comprehensively. (bbn)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/11/27/lobby-groups-wantmore-talks-on-taxation-bill.html