JAKARTA – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa emphasized that he would not hesitate to impose strict sanctions on Ministry of Finance employees found to have committed irregularities, ranging from transfers to remote areas to dismissal.
He stated that public trust is a valuable asset because it takes a long time to build, but it can be destroyed by a single incident of misconduct.
"If we don't take the appropriate, necessary steps to restore public trust, that trust is not built through slogans or ceremonial events, but through daily behavior. Professionalism, transparency, and accountability over many years," Purbaya stated at the inauguration of new officials at the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Taxes (DGT) on Thursday, January 22.
Purbaya warned that one person who abuses their authority can undermine the work of thousands of employees who have worked honestly.
"I have no hesitation in conveying my stance that tax officials who abuse their authority will be subject to severe sanctions, ranging from transfers to remote areas to dismissal, depending on the severity of the violation. This is not because I'm emotional or trying to show off, but because the country cannot be plagued by irregularities," he emphasized.
Purbaya also emphasized the importance of superiors' roles in supervising subordinates.
He stated that irregularities cannot occur without weak oversight and urged leaders at all levels, including regional offices, to take full responsibility for the performance and integrity of the units they lead.
"I remind you again that those below don't work alone; they are supervised by their superiors. Their superiors must closely supervise the work of their subordinates. Don't get involved, but don't be fooled. If they're just playing around, their superiors won't know," he explained.
"So, I want us to take strategic steps down to the regional office level. We'll transfer them. This is also a warning to other tax officials, perhaps even the Director General of Taxes and other Ministry of Finance employees, that their superiors are responsible for the actions of those below them," he added.
Furthermore, Purbaya stated that organizational transfers and restructuring would continue in the coming months.
He stated that these steps were not solely due to indications of violations, but rather to ensure that all work was carried out in accordance with regulations and to maintain the image of the taxation institution and the Ministry of Finance as a whole.
"Please ensure you work well, because it's not me or you who is at stake, but the image of taxation and finance, and most importantly, it can impact our state revenue, which we struggled to increase last year," he added.
"I'm confident that with better colleagues in the future, our tax targets should still be achievable. You all lead units on the front lines, where taxpayers and the business community come from, and where the nation's trust is at stake," he added.
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