Failed To Control Debt And Fiscal, Celios Calls Sri Mulyani Losing Its Technical Side

Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani (Photo; Doc. VOI)

JAKARTA - The Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios) revealed eight economic demands on the agenda titled the Indonesian Economic Reset, one of the main demands highlighted was the pressure to remove Finance Minister Sri Mulyani.

Celios considered that the fiscal policy that had been implemented so far was not in favor of the small people and actually exacerbated economic inequality.

Director of the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios) Bhima Yudhistira believes that Finance Minister Sri Mulyani is one of the main causes of the significant and uncontrolled soaring of government debt burdens

In addition, Sri Mulyani is also considered to have failed to control policy ambitions that are considered less rational than President Prabowo, such as the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program and the Red and White Village Cooperative.

Bhima menyebut Sri Mulyani sebagai Menteri Keuangan telah kehilangan identitas teknocratnya lantaran telah melaksanakan dua kali program pembenasan pajak (tax amnesty) dan di bawah kepemimpinannya tidak mampu meningkatkan rasio pajak secara signifikan.

"Sri Mulyani has lost her technocrat side. Twice the tax amnesty during the Sri Mulyani era, so the minister did not produce an increase in the tax ratio. Meanwhile, the middle class is being hunted by tax officers, but they don't have the courage in front of big taxpayers," he told VOI, Wednesday, September 3.

In addition, he criticized Sri Mulyani's communication style which was considered arrogant and did not show partiality to vulnerable groups, such as teachers, who are still living in poor economic conditions.

In addition, other demands include the cancellation of the increase in DPR allowances and the determination of the sole salary of council members which are limited to a maximum of three times that of the Jakarta minimum wage, as well as the establishment of an independent remuneration committee and transparency in the use of recess funds.

Next, Immediately apply the wealth tax and ratification of the Asset Confiscation Bill; Complete revision of tax regulations, including cancellation of tax rates increases that burden the community and reduce VAT rates to 8 percent.

Furthermore, the Budget Cut for the National Police as well as the evaluation of program budgets such as MBG, KopDes Merah Putih, and Danantara, as well as the transfer to cash subsidies for the small people; Encourage the restructuring of government debt and stop the desire to add new debt.

Then, carry out the Constitutional Court's decision regarding the Minister and Deputy Minister are prohibited from holding concurrent positions, including being a Commissioner, especially the Minister of Investment and Downstreaming who concurrently serves as CEO of the Danantara; Stop National Strategic Projects that harm state finances, including the construction of the new State Capital and the Food Estate Area.