TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Recent apprehension of tax officials by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has dissapointed Hatta Radjasa, the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs. He even urged tax authorities to perform a spiritual reform.
"No matter how good the system is, if they are immoral, the abuse of power will continue to occur," he said in his office, Friday, May 17.
Hatta stated that the presence of corrupt tax officials negates the efforts made by the Directorate General of Tax to improve state revenue. "Why there are still many officials who did disgraceful acts?" he said.
Several tax officials recently arrested by KPK include Mohammad Dian Irwan Nuqishra and Eko Darmayanto, who were arrested on Wednesday, May 15, for accepting a Rp 2 billion (US$205,121) bribe, and Pargono Riyada, a senior tax official who allegedly accepts a Rp 125 million (US$12,820) bribe.
MUHAMMAD MUHYIDDIN