He joined fellow businesspeople who served as board members on the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) who requested the tax amnesty at the Directorate General of Taxation in Jakarta. Sandiaga was serving as micro, small and medium enterprises deputy chairman of the Kadin.

He only reported his firms’ tax status, while his team was still preparing the relevant documents for his private application. “I have been very busy for preparing for the gubernatorial election over the last three months. Insha Allah [God willing], I will apply for a private tax amnesty tomorrow [Wednesday],” he told journalists.

Sandiaga called on his gubernatorial rivals and other businessperson-politicians to follow his example.

Earlier, he took up the challenge from incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama to open up his finances. "Let’s open all. I’m ready to be transparent about my wealth,” Sandiaga said.

Sandiaga claimed he declared and repatriated all his companies’ assets. “I reported my 10 firms,” Sandiaga said.

Prior to stepping into politics, Sandiaga was an executive in notable companies such as investment firm Saratoga Capital and coal mining firm Adaro Energy.

Sandiaga’s company Saratoga was listed in the Panama Papers, a big data leak about the clients of Mossack Fonseca, which manages offshore companies located in tax haven countries. Sandiaga admitted to being a client of Mossack Fonseca, but he said he never broke any law. (rez/evi) 

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