Ministers Mentioned in Pandora Papers; Economist Calls for Investigation
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7 October 2021 06:49 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Senior economist and Rector of Paramadina University, Didik Junaidi Rachbini, asked the authorities to investigate the findings of the Pandora Papers. He opined that the leaked financial reports and business deals revealing the ownership of assets and shell companies in tax haven countries was a scandal.
“People in Indonesia who are mentioned in the Pandora Papers then make clarification cannot be said it is cleared. It must be investigated, instead of clarification. Because this is a scandal, it must be investigated,” said Didik in an online discussion on Wednesday, October 6.
Didik said the findings in the document were scandalous because the money that went into shell companies was suspected to dodge taxes. “With this tax smuggling, those who put in money will benefit from the creation of shell companies in tax haven regions.”
Two ministers mentioned in the report are Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.
Based on these findings, Didik said President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo must not allow tax evaders to be around him, while the government demands that the public obey paying taxes.
He also asked authorized institutions such as the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) to the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) to examine the findings. “PPATK must already know it. If PPATK doesn't open it, then they are politically protected,” he added.
Previously, PPATK Head Dian Ediana Rae said his institution was still researching the Pandora Papers report. “We are still examining it,” said Dian to Tempo on Monday, October 4.
Read: PPATK Examines Pandora Papers Leak Incriminating 2 State Officials
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