TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
The bad apples
Rafael's case reveals a disconcerting web of corruption and money laundering that has been invisible to the public eye.
Facing justice: Defendant and former tax officer Rafael Alun Trisambodo attends a hearing on Oct. 23, 2023, at the Jakarta Corruption Court. The court heard the testimonies of seven witnesses in the gratuity and money laundering case involving Alun. (Antara/Donny Aditra)
T
he sentencing of disgraced former taxman Rafael Alun Trisambodo to 14 years in prison by the Jakarta Corruption Court hopes to bring an end to one of the most eye-opening legal sagas to occur in recent years.
His case has sent shockwaves through the nation, revealing a disconcerting web of corruption and money laundering that has been invisible to the public eye.
While the ruling represents a profound triumph in the fight against corruption, it should be viewed as the first step in a more extensive battle against financial malfeasance.
After all, local wisdom contends that if one finds a single cockroach in the home, that is a sign to be wary of a whole nest of the critters still hidden somewhere close.
The panel of judges found Rafael guilty of accepting unlawful gratuities amounting to Rp 10 billion (US$64,4031) from taxpayers between 2002 and 2006, through a tax-consulting firm administered by his own wife.
Additionally, he was implicated in receiving other gratuities worth Rp 47 billion related to his position as a taxman. The court’s ruling, including fines and restitution fees, largely aligned with the prosecution’s demands, although the ordered amounts were somewhat lower.
Rafael’s modus operandi, recommending his wife's tax-consulting firm to audited taxpayers for a fee, exemplifies the deeply entrenched corruption within the system. This case brings to light the urgent need for a comprehensive review of internal checks and balances within government agencies to prevent similar instances in the future.
We must applaud the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for its relentless pursuit of justice, particularly in appealing the sentence in order to further maximize asset recovery and deterrence. However, it is crucial to recognize that this arrest should not signal the end but rather the beginning of an intensified effort to cleanse our institutions.
The KPK prosecutors’ demand for 14 years in prison, a substantial fine and significant restitution fees underscores the gravity of Rafael’s offenses. The court’s acknowledgment of mitigating factors, such as his lack of previous convictions and family obligations, highlights the complexity of delivering justice while considering the individual circumstances of the accused.
It must be noted that Rafael’s illicit activities were only uncovered due to the criminal assault case against his son, which inadvertently laid bare his family’s extravagant lifestyle and contradicted his official wealth profile.
The subsequent investigation exposed not only the extent of his corruption but also triggered inquiries into the wealth of other public officials. This revelation must catalyze a broader examination of public servants who display suspicious affluence and opulent lifestyles.
Rafael’s case should also be a wake-up call, prompting a systemic overhaul to fortify our institutions against corruption. Internal audits, technological upgrades and a culture of transparency must be prioritized to ensure that public officials are held accountable for their actions.
More stringent oversight of tax officials is imperative given their vulnerability to corruption. While Rafael stood trial, the KPK named two low-ranking tax officers Yulmanizar and Febrian last November for allegedly accepting gratuities. The KPK ensnared them after previously arresting their superiors Angin Prayitno Aji, Dadan Ramdani, Wawan Ridwan and Alfred Simanjuntak.
Furthermore, the government, including the next one to be sworn in later this year, should be made to think twice before introducing policies that can be used as a means to conceal corrupt activities, such as the tax amnesty that Rafael’s lawyers sought to use to avoid legal prosecution.
For now, we may revel in the victory of prevailing justice against Rafael, but it is imperative to recognize that this is just one battle in a protracted war against corruption. The onus is now on law enforcers to harness this momentum.
We call for sustained efforts to eradicate corruption and instill confidence in the integrity of our public servants. We simply must not let a few bad apples spoil an entire barrel.
