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Tax amnesty bill passes commission level, inches closer to becoming law
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Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly (left), Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro (center) and House of Representatives Commission XI chairman Ahmadi Noor Supit sign a tax amnesty bill at the House in Jakarta on Monday. (thejakartapost.com/Anton Hermansyah)
A
fter four hours of meetings, House of Representatives Commission XI has passed a long-awaited tax amnesty bill at a plenary deliberation session, despite an objection by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction.
Seven other factions entirely agreed to the bill, while the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction and the Democratic Party faction agreed but with certain provisos.
"We agree to bring the tax amnesty bill to the plenary meeting tomorrow. Hopefully the parties will be of one opinion, as this issue is susceptible to being exploited for political drama," Commission XI chairman Ahmadi Noor Supit told thejakartapost.com in Jakarta on Monday.
The current draft implies that tax evaders taking part in the tax amnesty program by reporting their offshore assets will be granted with an amnesty on the tax payable, the tax interest payable and the penalty, and will be obliged only to pay certain tariffs.
"The tariffs are low. And if we write off the tax payable, the interest and the penalty, it would be unfair for those who have been obediently paying their taxes," said Democratic faction spokeswoman Evi Zainal Abidin during the session.
Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said the tax amnesty deliberation would result in the repatriation of around Rp 11 quadrillion in assets owned by Indonesians. “With the tax amnesty, we can boost the country's development, and we are one step closer," Bambang said. (ags)
