Purbaya Kesal Restitusi Pajak Bikin Penerimaan Batu Bara Tekor

JAKARTA - Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa expressed his disappointment with the tax restitution policy which was considered to have caused state revenue losses, especially from the coal mining sector.

Purbaya explained that coal companies had paid income tax (PPh), royalties, and other obligations. However, the funds were then returned to the company through the restitution mechanism, so that the state's revenue became negative.

"But when it was withdrawn in restitution, I got it negative. So I gave subsidies to coal companies that were already rich. Do you think it's normal?" he said in a press conference, Wednesday, December 31.

He emphasized that this condition is contrary to the mandate of Article 33 Paragraph 3 of the 1945 Constitution which states that the earth, water, and natural wealth are owned by the state and are used to the greatest extent for the prosperity of the people.

"If this is not the case, the land is taken, the earth is taken, I (the government) also pay (compensation)," he said.

On this basis, Purbaya encouraged the implementation of an exit tax (BK) for coal exports, which has not been implemented so far.

He admitted that there was a rejection from business actors, but assessed that the policy was important considering that the country had suffered losses from coal mining activities.

According to him, this policy can ultimately benefit all parties and the acceptance of the coal sector will be allocated for development and improving the welfare of the community.

"We are looking for the optimal for everyone, for entrepreneurs and for the country, for the community as well. The tax is not for me to eat, but just now eating, right? We use it for programs that can enrich the community. For example, like disasters in Aceh, where is the money from? Where is the education program? That's about it," he explained.