PKS, PPP vow to continue support for House tax crime inquiry

Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) secretary general Anis Matta said that his party would continue to support the House tax crime inquiry proposal despite the recent withdrawal of Democratic Party (PD) legislators.

“We will continue supporting this effort because we realize that tax fraud could severely disrupt the government’s attempts to bring prosperity for the people. For us tax fraud is an extraordinary crime,” he said on Friday.

Anis said he expected all PKS legislators to support the cause.

In synch with PKS was the United Development Party (PPP). Deputy faction head Romahurmuzy acknowledged that he could not see a better alternative. He said tax crimes needed to be addressed by the House special committee.

“A special committee on tax crime inquiries will be equipped with greater authority. It will be able to summon anyone, and therefore we feel that as of now a special committee is the proper tool,” he said.

Eight PD legislators withdrew their support from the House tax crime inquiry proposal on Thursday after saying they were afraid that the inquiry proposal would be use to impeach President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.