"I want to get support from all of you," Sri Mulyani told an Indonesian Employer Association (Apindo) CEO gathering in Jakarta on Friday. "If I collect taxes, it doesn't mean I harass you, but if my subordinates harass you, report them to me."

Apindo chairman Hariadi B. Sukamdani and Sofjan Wanandi, chief economic advisor to Vice President Jusuf Kalla, attended the event, which was held to celebrate Apindo's 65th birthday on Jan. 31.

(Read also: Indonesia tax office to chase evaders’ assets)

Sri Mulyani emphasized the importance of cooperation between the government and the businesspeople in building the country's economy amid global uncertainties and competition, asserting the government's commitment to help business and cut bureaucratic red tape.

"From the Finance Ministry side, I promise to organize ourselves and improve the institution so it can truly serve the people," she said. "We are cleaning up this side. Apindo, please, help us by cleaning up from the other side, too."

Tax fraud will not happen again if the businesspeople also commit to pay their taxes in accordance with the law, Sri Mulyani, a former World Bank managing director, said. The businesspeople responded with applause and nods.

The government recently established a tax reform team to study and furnish the taxpayer database obtained from its ongoing tax amnesty program, in an effort to help reach tax revenue targets this year. (bbn)

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