Sri Mulyani Asserts Staple Food Tax Won't Apply in Traditional Market
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15 June 2021 07:33 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati asserted that the government would not levy a value-added tax or VAT for staple food sold in traditional markets. Sri made the statement in front of traders at Santa Market, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, on Monday, June 13.
“I’d like to explain that the government does not impose a tax on basic commodities sold in traditional markets that are the needs of the general public,” Sri said as quoted from a post of her official Instagram @smindrawati on Monday.
The statement answered questions posed by traders in the market who were worried about news of the staple food tax which would eventually increase the selling price.
Sri also emphasized that the government would not just collect taxes for state revenues. “But [the taxes] are designed to practice the principle of justice,” she underlined.
For example, rice produced by domestic farmers such as Cianjur, Rojolele, and Pandan Wangi, which are staple foods sold in traditional markets will not be subject to the value-added tax.
“However, imported premium rice such as basmati rice and shirataki rice that can cost 5-10 times higher and are consumed by the upper class should be taxed,” Sri Mulyani reiterated.
Likewise, premium beef such as Kobe beef and Wagyu which costs 10-15 times the price of regular beef, Sri Mulyani went on, should be taxed differently from the staple foods of the general public. “That is the principle of justice in taxation; the weak are helped and strengthened, while the strong people help and contribute.”
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RR. ARIYANI YAKTI WIDYASTUTI