Considered Disadvantage, NU Fishermen Union Asks Government To Revise PNBP Collection Rules

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Nahdlatul Ulama Fisherman's Union (NU) has asked the government to immediately revise government regulation (PP) Number 85 of 2021 and Decree of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia Number 86 and 87 of 2001 regarding the collection of non-tax state revenues (PNBP) on fishermen.

The General Chair of the NU Fishermen's Union, Witjaksono, said he considered that the policy was very detrimental to the community, actors and workers in the marine and fisheries sector.

"Together with the management of the Nahdlatul Ulama Fishermen's Union throughout Indonesia, we have seen, heard and felt firsthand the impacts that have been and will arise as a result of the new regulation," he said in a written statement, quoted Thursday, September 30.

For example, said Witjaksono, in PP No. 85 of 2011 it provides room for collection of Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) for fishing vessels and/or fish carriers measuring 5 to 30 Gross Tonnage (GT). Previously, the levy was only applied to ships with sizes above 30 GT.

"Where the majority of users of boats measuring 5-10 GT are small fishermen. It is as if forcing fishermen with small boats to go to sea as far as possible to pay the state treasury without paying attention to the safety of small fishermen," he said.

Not only that, according to him, the withdrawal of pre- and post-production levies has the potential to lead to manipulation and monopolistic practices. So it is at risk of causing potential loss of state income and possible 'threatening' practices against fishermen.

"Which has resulted in the obstruction of documents for completing the sea by officers in the field, it becomes strange if fishermen who want to go to sea and obey the rules must be inhibited and forced to lose money to pay for things that don't make sense," he said.

Witjaksono assessed that the increase in levies in the form of determining the percentage scale for ships measuring 5-60 GT was 5 percent; 61-1000 GT at 10 percent and 1000 GT and above as a rash decision. Because it is not in accordance with the capabilities of local human resources and tends to benefit big entrepreneurs. In fact, it opens the potential for foreign ships to operate more and more in the waters of the Republic of Indonesia.

Furthermore, Witjaksono said that the determination of the fish benchmark price based on the Decree of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Number 86 of 2021 for the calculation of fishery product levies and fishing productivity does not have a comprehensive basis.

"Because they forget the basis of policy making by not involving related community organizations," he said.

In addition, he said, the determination did not take into account the season, post-catch quality of fish and fishing locations. It was even found that the type of fish found had a much lower price than the benchmark price, which of course made fishermen lose money.

"The above calculation pattern is also very detrimental to fishing workers whose income is mostly based on the sale of fish catch after deducting operational costs," he explained.

Witjaksono admitted that he was very concerned about the issuance of the minister's decision. Because for the sake of increasing Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) by making small communities a 'cash object' in order to pursue achievements on paper which are actually 'mirages'.

"The state is not worthy to make regulations that burden the community, the KKP and related agencies must think creatively for the welfare of fishermen, not make fishermen miserable. If indeed the KKP has not been able to find a way to help fishermen, we beg not to add to the misery of fishermen and small communities," he said. .