No Mercy for Shady Tax Consultants: Finance Minister

Jakarta Globe, December 29, 2016

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and the director general of taxation, Ken
 Dwijugiasteadi, in conversation during the minister's impromptu visit to the
tax office in Jakarta on Wednesday (28/12). (JG Photo/Tabita)

Jakarta. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said she will clamp down on tax consultants involved in tax evasion, as they are currently inundated by clients seeking their assistance to join the government's tax amnesty program.

"I've asked Mr. Ken [Dwijugiasteadi, the director general of taxes] to check out the tax identification numbers a many consultants," she told reporters on Wednesday (28/12).

"The consultants are cashing in big from the tax amnesty program. I've seen one who reported up to 30 asset declaration letters," she said.

Sri Mulyani made the comment during an impromptu visit to the headquarters of the Directorate General of Taxation in Jakarta, where she found employees from several tax consultancies submitting their clients' wealth reports.

"It's common practice in industrial countries; even individual taxpayers there use the services of tax consultants," she said. "But please don't try to lower [the value of taxpayers' assets] so they can receive the 0.5 percent tariff."

The government offers a 3 percent tariff for taxpayers who come clean on previously unreported assets abroad and agree to repatriate them. The government also offers a 0.5 percent tariff for small and medium enterprises with less that Rp 10 billion ($742,000) in total assets.

More than 170,000 taxpayers have joined the second part of the tax amnesty program and around 70 percent of them are small and medium enterprises, according to Hestu Yoga Saksama, director of counseling, service and public relations at the tax office.

The number of participants in the tax amnesty program, which started in July this year, has reached 563,000 by Thursday.

Tax director general Ken Dwijugiasteadi reported to the minister during her visit that the amnesty process is "under control" and that no emergency measures will be taken to address the lower-than-expected number of participants.

"Most of the high-wealth [individuals] have joined the first part of the tax amnesty, so the additional state revenue from the program will not be as high," Sri Mulyani said.

Despite the slower progress, the minister said she still "hopes for the best" and that each regional tax office has already prepared a plan to start the third part of the tax amnesty program in a bid to achieve a steady result.

So far, the government has collected Rp 106 trillion in total tax amnesty-related penalties – which include the 2 percent and 3 percent tariffs, payments of preliminary evidence from tax investigations and tax due payments – according to tax office data.

Taxpayers have also declared Rp 4,193.1 trillion in previously unreported assets and repatriated Rp 141.3 trillion so far.

The government has set a target of Rp 4,000 trillion in declared assets, Rp 1,000 trillion in repatriated assets and Rp 165 trillion in additional tax revenue.

"If the results at the end of the second part have not met our expectations, then I will step up the campaign in the last part," the minister said.

The tax office will not only focus on tax consultants in the last part of the tax amnesty program, which starts in January, Sri Mulyani said. Notaries, doctors, tax consultants, lawyers, architects, accountants, governors and executives of state-owned companies will be targeted next.

Jakarta's Christian governor stands trial for blasphemy

Yahoo – AFP, Kiki Siregar,  December 13, 2016

Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (C), is accused of insulting
the Koran (AFP Photo/Tatan SYUFLANA)

Jakarta's Christian governor choked back tears as he gave an impassioned defence against blasphemy charges on Tuesday, in a court case that has stoked fears of growing intolerance in the Muslim-majority nation.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama -- the first Christian to govern the capital in more than 50 years -- is standing trial accused of insulting the Koran, an offence that carries a five-year jail term.

The governor has apologised for his controversial remarks, which angered Muslims across Indonesia and drew hundreds of thousands to the streets of Jakarta in protests larger than any seen in nearly two decades.

Facing court for the first time, the governor gave an emotionally charged defence against the charges, pausing several times to compose himself as he maintained his innocence.

"I know I have to respect the holy verses of the Koran. I do not understand how I can be said to have offended Islam," Purnama said, occasionally dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief.

Purnama, better known by his nickname Ahok, ignited a firestorm of criticism in September when he quoted the Islamic holy text while campaigning ahead of elections for the Jakarta governorship.

The governor accused his opponents of using a Koranic verse, which suggests Muslims should not choose non-Muslims as leaders, in order to trick people into voting against him.

Profile of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Jakarta's first non-Muslim 

leader in over 50 years, on trial for blasphemy (AFP Photo)

Politics at play

Prosecutor Ali Mukartono said the governor had "spoken a lie" and insulted Muslims, adding Indonesia's top clerical council had declared his remarks blasphemous.

But lawyers for the governor said their client never intended to commit blasphemy, and expressed concern that Purnama's case was being rushed.

President Joko Widodo and police, under pressure as protesters massed in November, promised to resolve the case quickly.

Critics say the controversy is as much about politics as religion, as the governor's foes whip up anger to reduce his support ahead of a hotly contested poll in February.

Purnama is running against two Muslim candidates in elections for city hall.

He had long been the favourite to win the election owing to the popularity of his no-nonsense style and determination to clean up Jakarta, a crowded, polluted metropolis of 10 million.

But the scandal has eroded his chances of victory, with his opponents gaining ground since Purnama was named a suspect for blasphemy in November.

Purnama said he was raised a Christian but surrounded by Muslims, including family friends, who had played an enormous mentorship role in his life from when he was a child to adulthood.

The allegations that he had offended their religion hurt him very deeply.

Jakarta's governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, nicknamed 'Ahok' faces jail 

if convicted of blasphemy in a trail demanded by hardline Muslim demonstrators

(AFP Photo/Adek BERRY)

"I am very sad," he said, his voice cracking.

"This accusation is the same as saying I have offended my god parents and siblings, whom I love and they love me back."

He also listed the many services he had provided for his Islamic constituents, including the construction of mosques, support for religious schools and donation of sacrificial cows on sacred days.

A small band of his supporters kept vigil outside the court as a larger congregation of hardline Islamists chanted "Jail Ahok" and held signs depicting Purnama in prison garb behind bars.

"We will continue to fight this, and won't be provoked or influenced," one of Purnama's supporters said.

The high-profile case has gripped the country. The courtroom was surrounded by police on Tuesday, with the proceedings being broadcast live on national television.

The case has emboldened hardliners, analysts say, who have long opposed a Christian as governor and have used the blasphemy scandal to push their conservative agenda.

Rights groups want Indonesia's archaic blasphemy laws overhauled, arguing they are exploited to persecute minorities.

The case has adjourned until December 20.

Indonesia's Richest One Percent Controls Nearly Half of Nation's Wealth: Report

Jakarta Globe, Tabita Diela, December 01, 2016

A housewife in the slum area of Kapuk Teko in Jakarta drying her laundry in
 the sun. Many people in living in Indonesia capital live in poverty. (Antara
Photo/Rivan Awal Lingga)

Jakarta. A recent report on global wealth distribution showed that the top 1 percent of Indonesians remain in control of half of the country's wealth despite a dent from weak global commodity prices, reflecting a wide wealth disparity that is unlikely to narrow anytime soon.

The seventh Global Wealth Report by Credit Suisse Research Institute shows that the richest 1 percent of Indonesia's adult population of 164 million own 49.3 percent of the country's $1.8 trillion wealth by June this year, a drop from last year's 53.5 percent.

Indonesia is also the world's fourth most unequal country, according to the study. Russia's wealthiest 1 percent owns 74.5 percent assets in the country while in India 58.4 percent and in Thailand 58 percent.

"These numbers showed that social justice in Indonesia is yet to be seen," Eric Alexander Sugandi, an economist with the Jakarta-based think tank Kenta Institute, said. The report found Indonesia is also home to 30 million of the so-called bottom billion, who own less than $248 worth of assets.

Despite the drop this year, the share of the top 1 percent wealth to the overall population is still trending upward, as they keep accumulating wealth through inheritance and investments, Eric said.

"Indonesia does not have inheritance tax like Japan. So the one percent's wealth would be multiplied and unlikely to be caught up by the rest of the population," he said.

Lana Soelistianingsih, an economist from Samuel Assets Management said, the top one percent could have suffered from weak prices of global commodities, mainly coal and palm oil, which made up most of the country's billionaire's assets.

Indonesian coal benchmark price was $51.8 per metric ton in June this year, down 13 percent from $59.6 in June last year. Malaysia Palm Oil Futures was up just 2 percent to $618 per metric ton over the period.

Rupiah depreciation against the US dollar — which the report noted totaling 46 percent drop since 2011 — has also caused wealth decline per adult, the report said.

Still, the report also showed that the remaining of Indonesian population saw some increase in their wealth, which serves as a "source of finance for future consumption, particularly for retirement, and for reducing vulnerability to shocks such as unemployment, ill health, or natural disasters."

The median for wealth in Indonesia is $1,966 for every adult, up 22 percent from last year, the report shows. Indonesia's total household wealth grew by 6.4 percent in 2016 to reach $1.8 trillion this year with 88 percent of it in form of real assets like property and land, and the remainder was in financial assets like time deposits, bonds and stocks.

The number is projected to increase about 44 percent to $2.6 trillion over the next five years.

Indonesia added 13,000 new dollar millionaires in a year, which added up to 112,000 millionaires who owned a total wealth of $500 billion by mid-year 2016. The report defined wealth as the value of financial assets and housing minus the debts owed by households.

The report estimates that the number of dollar millionaires in the country will increase by 55 percent to 173,000 over the next five years.

About 84 percent of the adult population in the country owns less than $10,000, falling into the "frontier wealth" category — in which an adult's wealth is ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 — along with other countries like Ecuador, Egypt, Malaysia, Thailand and Tunisia, the report says.

Overall, the global wealth increased by 1.4 percent to $256 trillion, with Japan in the lead with a 19 percent wealth increase due to rate appreciation.

'We Will Never Stop Fight Against Corruption': Jokowi

Jakarta Globe, Carlos KY Paath & Eko Prasetyo, December 01, 2016

President Joko Widodo at the National Conference on Eradicating Corruption
in Jakarta on Thursday (01/12). (Antara Photo/Yudhi Mahatma)

Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said one of his administration's main goals is to fight corruption and highlighted the hundreds of high-profile figures who have been given prison sentences for corruption as proof during a speech at the National Conference in Corruption Eradication, or KNPK 2016, in Jakarta on Thursday (01/12).

"Every government official, including me, is committed to the fight against corruption. We will never stop," Jokowi said.

According to the president, 122 House of Representatives and Regional Legislative Council members, 25 ministers or heads of institutions, four ambassadors, seven commissioners, 17 governors, 51 mayors and district heads, 130 state officials and 14 judges have been sent to prison during his administration.

"We should give ourselves a pat on the back. The fewer people go to prison, the more successful we are at fighting corruption," Jokowi told the audience at the conference.

"We want to keep improving the public service and make our system of government more effective. But we have three big problems: corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency and lack of infrastructure. We have to try to solve all of these at the same time," he added.

Jokowi said so far corruptors are still defying the law, though many of them had been arrested and imprisoned.

"Corruption is still a big problem. The situation is desperate but we shouldn't give up. Everyone has to get involved: government officials, lawmakers, law enforcers, the private sector and the public."

India pulls 500, 1,000 rupee notes to fight graft

Yahoo – AFP, Annie Banerji, November 8, 2016

An Indian resident holds 500 and 1000 rupee banknotes in New Delhi, on
November 8, 2016 (AFP Photo/Prakash Singh)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered the withdrawal of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes from circulation on Tuesday in a shock announcement designed to tackle widespread corruption and tax evasion.

Modi said that while people could exchange their old notes for new bills at banks or post offices until the end of the year, or deposit them in their accounts, they would no longer be legal tender from midnight.

"To break the grip of corruption and black money, we have decided that the 500 and 1,000 rupee currency notes presently in use will no longer be legal tender from midnight that is 8 November, 2016," he said in a televised address to the nation.

"This means that these notes will not be acceptable for transaction from midnight onwards."

After a one-day shutdown of all banks and ATMs, new 500 and 2,000 rupee denomination notes would be issued from Thursday by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the country's central bank.

The 500 and 1,000 notes, which are worth around $7.50 and $15 respectively, are the largest bills in use in India which is still a massively cash intensive economy.

Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has pledged to crack down on so-called black money -- vast piles of wealth kept hidden from the tax authorities -- with a series of new measures, including 10-year jail terms for evaders.

The latest announcement comes a little over a month after the government raised nearly $10 billion through a tax amnesty for Indians to report undeclared income and assets.

Finance Secretary Shaktikant Das said the decision was "a very bold and powerful and a very decisive step to fight the menace of black money and the use of fake Indian currency notes".

Spy cameras

He warned those with hidden stashes of cash that banks would be extra vigilant with CCTV cameras to record identities and all banking transactions.

While the use of debit and credit cards has increased in the last decade in India, many small family-owned businesses insist on taking cash to evade tax or else ask for mark-ups to cushion the blow.

Most business leaders welcomed Tuesday's announcement although there were some concerns about the impact on small traders.

"It is perhaps the most significant move ever taken to curtail the parallel economy," said Chanda Kochchar, chief executive of ICICI Bank.

"This move will give a sharp boost to all formal channels of payment which in turn will help the formal economy to grow."

Some $439 billion left the country illicitly from 2003-2012, according to estimates from the Global Financial Integrity group in Washington.

Many of India's wealthiest citizens channel money to tax havens and convert it into jewellery and antiques to avoid tax.

Domestically, targets for investigation include temples and ashrams, where lavish donations can be a front for money laundering, and cricket betting. The property sector too is awash with black money.

Only 2.89 percent of Indians pay any income tax at all, India's previous finance minister told parliament in 2013.

The prime minister said that the move was also designed to counter Pakistan-based extremist groups who carry out attacks on India, saying "enemies from across the border" were financing their activities by mass producing counterfeit Indian notes.

Finance secretary Das said there had been a disproportionate rise in the number of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes in circulation in the last five years.

He revealed that the new 500 rupee note would bear the image of Delhi's iconic Red Fort while the new pink 2,000 rupee note would feature India's "Mangalyaan" Mars orbiter.

RBI chief Urjit Patel told reporters the central bank was ready to get the new notes into circulation swiftly.

"The RBI has been concerned with the growing menace of fake Indian currency notes which has been increasing in numbers," he added.

While the old bills will no longer be legal tender in shops, hospitals and transport operators will continue to accept them for the next 72 hours.

They would also be accepted at gas stations run by public sector oil companies, and at milk booths and crematoriums.

Related Article:

US charges dozens in India-based call center fraud racket

Ahok's Case Can Be Broadcast Live for the Public: Police Chief

Jakarta Globe, Anselmus Bata, November 05, 2016

National Police CHief Tito Karnavian, center, was speaking to reporters in
this file photo. (Antara Photo)

Jakarta. National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian has reassured the public it can watch deliberations in the Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama blasphemy case as they happen live.

"Case deliberation can be broadcast live so the public can witness clearly about this case and get to know the essence and content from the plaintiff, defendant, and experts," Tito told journalists in Jakarta on Saturday (11/5).

He said linguistic experts will be summoned to examine the case.

Representatives from the Attorney Office, the National Police Commissions as well as members of the Commission III at the House of Representatives, which oversees legal affairs, laws, human rights and security, will attend the hearing.

Tito said police will upgrade the case from pre-investigation if evidence is found and in the case that it is not, the case will be dropped.

Previously, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said the legal proceedings related to the blasphemy allegations against Basuki will be firm, quick and transparent.

Jokowi intends to resolve the matter swiftly to prevent further political upheaval.

Indonesia Introduces New Finance Facility to Meet Paris Climate Agreement Goals

Jakarta Globe, Ratri M. Siniwi,  October 27, 2016

Wind turbines used for generating electricity in East Sumba, East Nusa
Tenggara, in this April 2015 file photo. (Antara Photo/Hafiz Mubarak A.)

Jakarta. A new facility has been introduced in Indonesia that will be used to promote economic development to stimulate green growth and improve rural livelihoods.

The Tropical Landscapes Finance Facility, consisting of a loan fund and a grant fund, aims to achieve climate targets set under the Paris Agreement. It will make public funding available to finance renewable energy production and sustainable landscape management.

"This ground-breaking and innovative financial platform, a world first, can transform the lives and livelihoods of millions of Indonesians in rural areas that deserve it the most," Tropical Landscapes Finance Facility steering committee chairman Dr. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said in a statement on Wednesday (26/10).

Through sustainable production of agricultural commodities, the facility will scale up investment in renewable energy to assist the rural poor.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry fully backs the facility as it falls in line with Indonesia's sustainable development aspirations.

"The Indonesian government realizes that we can only achieve the sustainable development goals through holistic policies, such as integrated landscape management," Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Darmin Nasution said. "The facility aims to improve smallholder productivity while at the same time conserving our natural environment."

Along with the facility's steering committee, French bank and financial services company BNP Paribas and multinational investment manager ADM Capital will manage the loan fund.

"By joining in a partnership with the Tropical Landscapes Financing Facility in the capacity of capital markets and structuring adviser, BNP Paribas will help create innovative and collaborative financing mechanisms to bring private capital at scale and with good governance and risk management principles to fund long-term sustainable development projects," BNP Paribas Indonesia chief executive Luc Cardyn said.

The facility's secretariat will be managed by the United Nations Environment Program.

"The facility will trigger progress across several sustainable development goals, including saving the climate, protecting biodiversity and fostering renewable energy," UN Assistant Secretary General Elliott Harris said.

Related Articles:

Joyful ministers seal landmark Paris Agreement to stop global warming

"Recalibration of Free Choice"–  Mar 3, 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Caroll) - (Subjects: (Old) Souls, Midpoint on 21-12-2012, Shift of Human Consciousness, Black & White vs. Color, 1 - Spirituality (Religions) shifting, Loose a Pope “soon”, 2 - Humans will change react to drama, 3 - Civilizations/Population on Earth,  4 - Alternate energy sources (Geothermal, Tidal (Paddle wheels), Wind), 5 – Financials Institutes/concepts will change (Integrity – Ethical) , 6 - News/Media/TV to change, 7 – Big Pharmaceutical company will collapse “soon”, (Keep people sick), (Integrity – Ethical)  8 – Wars will be over on Earth, Global Unity, … etc.) - (Text version)

“…  4 - Energy (again)

The natural resources of the planet are finite and will not support the continuation of what you've been doing. We've been saying this for a decade. Watch for increased science and increased funding for alternate ways of creating electricity (finally). Watch for the very companies who have the most to lose being the ones who fund it. It is the beginning of a full realization that a change of thinking is at hand. You can take things from Gaia that are energy, instead of physical resources. We speak yet again about geothermal, about tidal, about wind. Again, we plead with you not to over-engineer this. For one of the things that Human Beings do in a technological age is to over-engineer simple things. Look at nuclear - the most over-engineered and expensive steam engine in existence!

Your current ideas of capturing energy from tidal and wave motion don't have to be technical marvels. Think paddle wheel on a pier with waves, which will create energy in both directions [waves coming and going] tied to a generator that can power dozens of neighborhoods, not full cities. Think simple and decentralize the idea of utilities. The same goes for wind and geothermal. Think of utilities for groups of homes in a cluster. You won't have a grid failure if there is no grid. This is the way of the future, and you'll be more inclined to have it sooner than later if you do this, and it won't cost as much.

Water

We've told you that one of the greatest natural resources of the planet, which is going to shift and change and be mysterious to you, is fresh water. It's going to be the next gold, dear ones. So, we have also given you some hints and examples and again we plead: Even before the potentials of running out of it, learn how to desalinate water in real time without heat. It's there, it's doable, and some already have it in the lab. This will create inexpensive fresh water for the planet.

There is a change of attitude that is starting to occur. Slowly you're starting to see it and the only thing getting in the way of it are those companies with the big money who currently have the old system. That's starting to change as well. For the big money always wants to invest in what it knows is coming next, but it wants to create what is coming next within the framework of what it has "on the shelf." What is on the shelf is oil, coal, dams, and non-renewable resource usage. It hasn't changed much in the last 100 years, has it? Now you will see a change of free choice. You're going to see decisions made in the boardrooms that would have curled the toes of those two generations ago. Now "the worst thing they could do" might become "the best thing they could do." That, dear ones, is a change of free choice concept. When the thinkers of tomorrow see options that were never options before, that is a shift. That was number four. ….”

"A Summary" – Apr 2, 2011 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Religion, Shift of Human Consciousness, 2012, Intelligent/Benevolent Design, EU, South America, 5 Currencies, Water Cycle (Heat up, Mini Ice Ace, Oceans, Fish, Earthquakes ..), Middle East, Internet, Israel, Dictators, Palestine, US, Japan (Quake/Tsunami Disasters , People, Society ...), Nuclear Power Revealed, Hydro Power, Geothermal Power, Moon, Financial Institutes (Recession, Realign integrity values ..) , China, North Korea, Global Unity,..... etc.) - (Text version)

“... Japan

Let us talk for a moment about Japan, and then I'll close the day of messages. There are thousands of souls on my side of the veil and they're just fine, more than fine. We have spoken so often of what happens at the Wind of Birth. I told you, before they even came in, they saw the potential. I looked in their eyes. "You may not last long. You know that, don't you? You're coming into this planet and you may not be here very long. And the passing that you will have with your family will not be pleasant, if any ever are. Why would you come in anyway?" I want to tell you what they said. When a soul has the mind of God, it understands fully what generates peace and what generates energy shift. You can clearly see what generates what the planet needs the most when you are about to arrive. So they said, "We're going to be part of one of the biggest compassion events the planet has ever seen." One earthquake, one tsunami. All of those who left that day will change the earth forever. And it already has. It was the same for the last tsunami as well.

Every single one of them on my side of the veil is getting ready to come back. Many old souls were involved, and just for a moment, if they could give you any information, if they could talk to you right now, if they could speak your language and look into your eyes, they would thank you for your compassion for them and those who are left. And they would say, "Be with those family members who are still alive. Enter their hearts every day and give them peace and keep them from crying, because we're OK."

Nuclear Power Revealed

So let me tell you what else they did. They just showed you what's wrong with nuclear power. "Safe to the maximum," they said. "Our devices are strong and cannot fail." But they did. They are no match for Gaia.

It seems that for more than 20 years, every single time we sit in the chair and speak of electric power, we tell you that hundreds of thousands of tons of push/pull energy on a regular schedule is available to you. It is moon-driven, forever. It can make all of the electricity for all of the cities on your planet, no matter how much you use. There's no environmental impact at all. Use the power of the tides, the oceans, the waves in clever ways. Use them in a bigger way than any designer has ever put together yet, to power your cities. The largest cities on your planet are on the coasts, and that's where the power source is. Hydro is the answer. It's not dangerous. You've ignored it because it seems harder to engineer and it's not in a controlled environment. Yet, you've chosen to build one of the most complex and dangerous steam engines on Earth - nuclear power.

We also have indicated that all you have to do is dig down deep enough and the planet will give you heat. It's right below the surface, not too far away all the time. You'll have a Gaia steam engine that way, too. There's no danger at all and you don't have to dig that far. All you have to do is heat fluid, and there are some fluids that boil far faster than water. So we say it again and again. Maybe this will show you what's wrong with what you've been doing, and this will turn the attitudes of your science to create something so beautiful and so powerful for your grandchildren. Why do you think you were given the moon? Now you know.

This benevolent Universe gave you an astral body that allows the waters in your ocean to push and pull and push on the most regular schedule of anything you know of. Yet there you sit enjoying just looking at it instead of using it. It could be enormous, free energy forever, ready to be converted when you design the methods of capturing it. It's time.

So in closing, do you understand what you're seeing? You're seeing intelligent design, quantum energy and high consciousness. You are seeing changes in Human nature. You're seeing countries putting things together instead of separating. You are seeing those who don't want war and instead want peace, good schools for their children, safety in their streets and a say in their government. We told you it was going to happen this way. I want my partner to teach these things that I have said in his 3D lectures for awhile. Many won't be able to know these things otherwise.  …”

Google Understands Why Indonesia Wants Its Fair Share: Sri Mulyani

Jakarta Globe, Tabita Diela, October 27, 2016

Indonesia is bullish on reaching a settlement with technology giant Google,
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said on Thursday (27/10). (Reuters Photo/
Stephen Lam)

Jakarta. Indonesia is bullish on reaching a settlement with technology giant Google, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said on Thursday (27/10).

"We have already communicated with Google," Sri said during a meeting at the Jakarta Foreign Correspondents Club.

"I think there is at least an understanding about why Indonesia would like to have a fair share of the revenue and we do hope that we're going to reach an agreement," she said.

Senior Google Asia Pacific executives reportedly met Indonesian tax officials on Wednesday for negotiations on the company's tax bill.

"I will make sure that our team treats this issue professionally," Sri said.

The government earlier claimed that Google Indonesia, the company's local representative, paid an "unfairly small" amount in tax as it only allocated about 4 percent of its total revenue from advertisements to be subject to the 10 percent income tax.

Tax experts have urged the government to create a stronger regulation to tax over-the-top players.

Indonesia Needs More Tax Reforms While Improving Public Spending, Governance: OECD

Jakarta Globe, Ratri M. Siniwi, October 24, 2016

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says
 Indonesia had only 27 million registered taxpayers out of a population of 260
million in 2014, with only 900,000 of them having paid what they owed the
state. (Antara Photo/Wahyu Putro A.)

Jakarta. Despite strong growth in Indonesia's gross domestic product, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, says more tax reforms are needed.

In a report titled "2016 Economic Survey of Indonesia," the organization indicates that one of the country's main challenges is a narrow tax base, with only 10.7 percent of gross domestic product having been taxed in 2015, compared to 11.4 percent in 2012. It also says tax evasion is prevalent.

"Only 27 million taxpayers were registered in 2014, in a population of 260 million, and only 900,000 of those paid what they owed," the OECD said in the report.

The report also highlights the lack of efficiency in public spending and recommends that Indonesia scraps all energy subsidies, which account for 7 percent of public expenditure.

The OECD claims that this would be a necessary move for Indonesia to go green, meet renewable energy targets and boost funding for public priorities, such as education, health care and infrastructure.

The organization recommends the implementation of improved controls and performance-based budgeting if Indonesia wants to meet its target of 20 percent government spending on education and 5 percent on health.

Corruption appears to be the main factor that discourages businesses in Indonesia and hampers economic development.

According to OECD, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which plays a vital role in combating the challenge, should be provided with more resources and authority.

OECD secretary general Angel Gurria said an improvement in living standards can be seen in Indonesia, thanks to strong economic growth and social progress.

"Many challenges remain, but the government is moving in the right direction by reducing obstacles to doing business, improving the investment environment, and cutting subsidies," Gurria said in a statement on Monday (24/10).

Along with the launch of its economic survey, the OECD also introduced the "2016 Open Government Review of Indonesia," which recommends the establishment of a continuous budget for improving the quality and volume of data for public access.

Whistleblower System Put in Place in Govt Institutions to Crack Down on Extortion

Jakarta Globe, Edo Karensa, October 18, 2016

Public servants in Solo stand next to banners warning officials from asking
and receiving bribes. (JG Photo/Ali Lutfi)

Jakarta. The Administrative and Bureaucratic Reforms Minister Asman Abnur said on Tuesday (18/10) the government will have a whistleblower system running in ministries and government institutions as part of its public service reform.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo promised to crack down on extortion in government institutions, known locally as pungli, after a sting operation at the Transportation Ministry earlier this month saw three officials arrested and more than Rp 90 million ($6,900) in cash and Rp 1 billion in bank receipts seized.

The Administrative and Bureaucratic Reforms Ministry issued a circular letter ordering the crackdown on extortion to heads of government institutions, ministries, the National Police, the Indonesian Military and governors, mayors and district heads on Tuesday.

According to the letter, each institution is responsible for identifying potential extortions and taking firm actions against officials engaging in the practice.

Minister Asman said government institutions should also make full use of information technology to offer services which will improve public transparency and avoid irregularities.

"We will have a whistleblower system running to crack down on extortion," Asman told a press conference in Jakarta.

The government has also created a social media app called Lapor. The acronym stands for Public Complaints and Aspiration Service — an app that the public can use to submit complaints on public services and developments, including slow progress on construction of public utilities or long queues in government offices.

"Sanctions for extortionists, including officials, should be announced publicly. That might help deter others from committing it," Asman, also a politician from the National Mandate Party (PAN), said.

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Jokowi Allows Legal Process on Missing Documents of Munir’s Case

Jakarta Globe, Novy Lumanauw & Eko Prasetyo, October 14, 2016

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has allowed a legal process to be conducted
against the missing investigation documents related to the murder of prominent
human rights defender Munir Said Thalib. (Antara Photo/Sigid Kurniawan)

Jakarta. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has allowed a legal process to be conducted against the missing investigation documents related to the murder of prominent human rights defender Munir Said Thalib.

The missing documents had been submitted to former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace in 2005.

“If there is a new novum [existing evidence before a trial process], conduct the legal process,” Jokowi said at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (13/10).

The president also ordered a search for the missing documents submitted by the original fact-finding team on Munir’s case.

“I have ordered the Attorney General [HM Prasetyo] to find and locate the results of the fact-finding team, as it is not available at the State Secretary Ministry,” Jokowi added.

Previously, the coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) Haris Azhar urged the government to investigate the whereabouts of the documents.

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KPK Receives 30 New Investigators From National Police

Jakarta Globe, Edo Karensa, October 09, 2016

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has welcomed at least 30 new
 investigating officers from the National Police to boost the number of corruption
cases it can handle. (Antara Photo/Widodo S. Jusuf)

Jakarta. The national antigraft agency has welcomed at least 30 new investigating officers from the National Police to boost the number of corruption cases it can handle.

"The new investigators will help to free the country from corrupt behavior, which has been a worrying trend, including outside Java Island where the KPK has not handled these cases very well," Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputy chairman Saut Situmorang told state-run Antara news agency in Jakarta on Saturday (08/10).

Prior to the addition, the KPK had 219 investigators – comprising 91 involved in initial investigations, locally known as penyidik, and 118 detectives, or penyelidik.

The increased number of investigators is still insufficient for the KPK, which received more than 5,694 reports of corrupt practices in 2015 alone. Among those reports, 2,807 had adequate evidence to be brought before a court, but the agency could only handle 171 cases.

The rest of reports were handed over to the Attorney General's Office, National Police, Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), State Finance Development Comptroller (BPKP) and related ministries.

L'Oréal Campaigns for Gender Equality in Science With #ChangeTheNumbers

Jakarta Globe, Devina Halim & Ratri M. Siniwi, October 08, 2016

In view of the fact that only 30 percent of researchers in the world are women,
 international beauty care company L'Oréal launched a global campaign titled
#ChangeTheNumbers in an effort to address the issue. (JG Photo/ Megan Herndon)

Jakarta. International beauty care company L'Oréal has launched a global campaign titled #ChangeTheNumbers in an effort to remedy the fact that only 30 percent of scientific researchers in the world are women.

The campaign manifesto lists several points considered essential in empowering younger women to develop careers in science and ensuring that there is equal opportunity and exposure for them in the field.

"L'Oréal believes the world needs science and science needs women. The purpose of this global campaign is to change the public perspective of women in science and to attract more women to choose becoming researchers," L'Oréal Indonesia head of communications Melanie Masriel said on Thursday (06/10).

Two inspiring Indonesian female researchers were invited to speak during a discussion about the lack of women in science, hosted by the company.

Ines Atmosukarto, chief executive and managing director of Australian vaccine research and development firm Lipotek Canberra, and Fenny M. Dwivany, associate professor in molecular biology at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), both mothers and recipients of the L'Oréal-Unesco for Women in Science International Fellowship in 2004 and 2007, respectively.

The two women said being a researcher is not for the weak, but that the hard work pays off with great rewards.

"We want to open the eyes of the younger generation to show that there are lots of rewards for being a researcher, so it's not only about the challenges," Ines said.

One of the rewards, she added, was the opportunity to see the world and being exposed to different cultures while studying or attending forums, and the ability of also providing that to her children.

"We can open the minds of our next generation to see the world and question everything and become more curious and creative," Ines said.

By doing so, she believes future generations would be able to help Indonesia move towards its goal of becoming a developed manufacturing country.

In terms of challenges, Fenny said researchers in Indonesia mostly face problems in infrastructure and funding.

"Indonesia is such a biodiverse country and as a biologist, it's sad to see these problems. But if we're not the ones researching this, then who will?" the associate professor said.

According to Fenny, being a researcher helps women to become more perseverant, detail-oriented and tough, especially with the ability to multitask as mothers and researchers.

"We have an advantage of having a different point of view from a male perspective, which could help fill the gap," she added.

While society still judges them against the norm of women having to be stay-at-home mothers, they accredit their support systems for being understanding and helping them break through that barrier while accomplishing their goals.

"I think we were both fortunate enough to have support systems that encouraged us to further our research and education. And I believe that having a support system is essential for researchers," Ines said.

Other than having great support systems, both women said the key to being successful in this field is to be constantly curios, while satisfaction is something dangerous in research.

"To be a scientist you must have fire in your belly, because research is all about working with failures and that should be the fuel to keep you going," Ines said.

The women believe that despite the difficulties, Indonesian girls should not be afraid of pursuing their dreams of becoming scientists.

"There is a culture in our society that makes us afraid of challenges. The potential in Indonesia is high, but there are not enough opportunities," Fenny said.

According to her, there are many Indonesian researchers studying abroad, but coming home is the challenge.

"When we as researchers return to Indonesia, we don't have fields to work in. We can't go home because there are not enough job opportunities," she added.

Ines, on the other hand, suggested that the government must provide incentives for businesses to develop research and development units to support innovation in the country, and in turn, create more job opportunities.

All parties involved must work together in order to increase the number of female researchers and promote gender equality in science across the globe.

"What we have now, our lifestyle, is the result of research done before. The regeneration [of science] is important to create innovations for the sake of posterity," Ines said.

She also believes that Indonesia needs to move away from a male-focused perspective, which should be taught to children from a young age.

"We need to empower young girls to make them believe that they are just as capable as boys – we have to break through the glass ceiling," she said.

Another way this could be changed, Fenny added, is through celebrating the accomplishments of what female scientists have achieved, rather than the constant focus on celebrities.

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