Sandiaga Uno Responds To Inul Daratista's Complaints Regarding Entertainment Taxes

Inul Daratista and Sandiaga Uno (Instagram @sandiuno)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno responded to Inul Daratista's complaint regarding government policies that raised the entertainment tax from 25 percent to 40-75 percent.

Through an Instagram upload, Sandiaga Uno called on entertainment business actors not to worry. He said the policy taken was not to kill the business.

"Business actors don't need to worry.. Because it's still in the judicial review process. The government ensures that all policies are to empower and provide welfare, not to kill businesses," reads a statement in Sandiaga Uno's Instagram upload, Sunday, January 14.

"We will not kill the parekraf industry because this industry has just risen after the pandemic, and has opened up more than 40 million jobs," he continued.

Although it was not explained in detail about the policies taken, it was said that all policies were taken to provide wider business opportunities and employment opportunities.

All policies including taxes will be adjusted so that this sector is strong, so that this sector can create more business opportunities and jobs," he continued.

Sandiaga Uno also ensured that his party was willing to hear input from tourism actors and the creative economy.

"We will continue to fight for the welfare of parekraf actors, for the creation of jobs, and we make sure not to kill the resurfaced parekraf industry. Mbak @inul.d and all of my friends, thank you for your aspirations," wrote Delie Sandiaga Uno.

Previously, Inul Daratista, who had a karaoke business and acted on behalf of associations, complained about the policy of increasing entertainment taxes through Instagram uploads. He admitted that he had to fight against circumstances that made him have to lay off thousands of employees and repay loans from banks.

Furthermore, Inul also said that the difficulties faced by karaoke entrepreneurs could have an impact on income for songwriters who received royalties from songs played at karaoke.

"If we want to close it, there is no need for karaoke entertainment anymore, the fate of the creators -Artis byk is also the victim, because there is no income from us. It's getting worse," said Inul Daratista.

"Try an entertainment tax of only 20 percent, it's still natural that we entertainment entrepreneurs can also breathe. Pay royalties, pay maintenance and others, rent places, do you not think about it??? Hello, sir, please read my writing, Mr. Minister @sandiuno @smindrawati @jokowi," he concluded.