TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The discussion of state income in the Draft of Revised State Budget (RAPBN P) 2013 in the House of Representatives' (DPR) Finance and Banking Commission was a difficult one. The meeting, that was held on Monday, failed to reach a decision.

"The dispute happened because some points proposed by the Council showed that some officials saw income opportunities from the coal export tax and the carbonated drink tax. We then voted to summon the Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Ministry and the Health Ministry," said deputy chairman of the House's Finance and Banking Commission, Harry Azhar Azis, in the parliamentary complex, on Tuesday dawn.

The meeting began to heat up when the Council discussed Minister of Finance Regulation No. 78 on the related parties of tobacco companies, that was questioned by Golkar politician Nusron Wahid. The heat subsequently increased when an Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician, Maruarar Sirait, inquired a possible implementation time for the tax.

According to the PDIP politician, who is known by the name Ara, the implementation of export tax will contribute to the state income. In addition, Ara also demanded an explanation on the implementation of tax for sodas. He said that the Finance Minister always avoids responsibility by stating the rule cannot be implemented yet because the absence of recommendation from the Health Minister. "So, I want the Health Minister to also be summoned to clear up the issue. Let's discuss this together here," he said.

ANGGA SUKMA WIJAYA