Demands for Wealth Tax Enforcement Rising as Tax Official's Lavish Lifestyle under Spotlight

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The assault committed by Mario Dendy Satriyo, son of a tax official Rafael Alun Trisambodo, and his lavish lifestyle has led to demands for the enforcement of wealth tax. A tax observer from the Center for Indonesia Taxation Analysis (CITA) Fajry Akbar considered it an interesting suggestion.

"It's worth considering," Fairy told Tempo on Monday, February 27, 2023.

According to Fajry, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommended the implementation of the wealth tax in a bid to tackle the budget deficit triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Indonesia targeted its budget deficit at below 3 percent in 2023.

However, the implementation of the tax levied upon a taxpayer's net worth is only for a temporary period to improve the post-pandemic financial condition. In addition, Indonesia has homework to minimize inequality.

"I think the wealth tax can be a solution," Fajry asserted.

Politically, Fajry added, the program could be used to gain public sympathy. "Let alone, the general election is coming. This is an interesting offer. But the technical implementation needs to be thought deeply."

Chairman of the Association of Strategic Socio-Economic Cadres (Akses) Suroto said that the assault case by a tax official’s son, Mario Dendy Satriyo, has indeed prompted moral demands. 

"Moral demands are important, but we must also demand real action in the form of changes to the system. These changes are demanding the immediate imposition of wealth tax," Suroto underlined.

MOH. KHORY ALFARIZI

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