The DPR's Steps In Entering The Tax Amnesty Bill To The National Legislation Program Are Considered A Form Of Inconsistency In Combating Corruption

Legal observer, Hardjuno Wiwoho. (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - The DPR's move to include the Tax Amnesty Bill (RUU) into the list of the 2024 Priority National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) has received sharp criticism. This decision is considered odd because the bill is suddenly included in the long list of proposals by the Legislation Body (Baleg) of the DPR.

This step raises the question: why does a policy that has the potential to free tax violators from past responsibilities become a priority, while the Asset Confiscation Bill - which has a major impact on eradicating corruption - is being ignored?

Legal observer and anti-corruption activist Hardjuno Wiwoho views this decision as a form of the DPR's lack of seriousness in eradicating corruption.

"The Asset Confiscation Bill is an important instrument to recover state losses due to corruption and other economic crimes. Without this regulation, assets that should be used for the benefit of the people will continue to stop at the hands of criminals," said Hardjuno in Jakarta, Friday, November 22.

Hardjuno indicated that the passing of the Tax Amnesty Bill on the priority Prolegnas list was the deposit of businessmen, especially black entrepreneurs who had been evading taxes so far. So far, tax evaders have continued to avoid the obligation to pay taxes.

Therefore, they are suspected of lobbying the DPR to make a tax amnesty regulation volume III against them.

I invite all Indonesian people to oversee this 'isolation' bill. This is a form of injustice in this country. The rich are proposed to give Tax Amnesty, while the common people are strangled for tax, "said Hardjuno.

Not only about the Tax Amnesty Bill, Hardjuno Wiwoho, who is a doctoral candidate for Law and Development at Airlangga University (Unair), is vehemently controversial in the fit and proper test led by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

One of the candidates who was finally elected publicly expressed his desire to abolish the Hand Catch Operation (OTT). Ironically, the statement actually received applause from members of the DPR. Even though OTT has become an effective method in capturing the perpetrators of corruption.

"OTT is one clear evidence of the seriousness of law enforcement agencies, including the KPK, the Prosecutor's Office, and the Police, in eradicating corruption," Hardjuno continued.

He gave an example of the OTT carried out by the Attorney General's Office against a former Supreme Court (MA) judge with evidence of bribery amounting to Rp1 trillion.

"This step shows that OTT is not only effective, but also a moral message that the law can touch anyone," he stressed.

According to Hardjuno, the decision not to prioritize the Asset Confiscation Bill greatly weakens the commitment to eradicating corruption. In fact, this regulation can accelerate the process of returning corrupt state assets.

"This bill is important to ensure justice. The proceeds of corruption must be returned to the people, not allowed to become a personal asset enjoyed by a handful of people," said Hardjuno.

Furthermore, Hardjuno questioned the reason suddenly behind the priority of the Tax amnesty Bill.

"The DPR should prioritize a greater interest, namely eradicating corruption, not passing policies that have the potential to provide benefits for a handful of perpetrators of tax violations," he concluded.