Thrifting Traders Ask For Legalization, Purbaya: The Problem Is Not Tax, But Illegal Goods

Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadive (photo: Antara)

Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadive gave a firm response to requests from a number of used goods traders, especially sellers of used clothing, who hoped their businesses could be legalized and willing to pay taxes.

Purbaya emphasized that he had no problem with the types of businesses of the traders, but would still monitor and regulate the circulation of imported goods illegally entering Indonesia.

"I don't care about the threatening business, what I control are illegal goods that enter Indonesia. I will clean Indonesia from illegal goods, which are illegal," he said at the KITA State Budget press conference, quoted Friday, November 21.

He added that this issue was not about the willingness to pay taxes, but related to compliance with regulations, because the trade in used imported clothes was still considered illegal.

"So it has nothing to do with paying taxes or not paying taxes, it's illegal!" said Purbaya.

Purbaya then gave an illustration, "In your opinion, if I collect taxes from marijuana, for example, will it be legal? I don't think so. So that's the main thing," he said.

Previously, a Thrifting trader at Pasar Senen Rifai Silalahi, asked that his business be legalized and admitted that he did not mind if he later had to pay taxes.

"We hope that this entry, this threatening item, can now be legalized. We want to pay taxes. The main thing is, we want to pay taxes," he said.