Regarding Anti-Tax Invitations, This Is What Said Aqil's Strong Warning MEANs

Chairman of the Islamic Ormas Friendship Institute (LPOI) and the Religious Ormas Friendship Institute (LPOK) Said Aqil Siroj. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Executive Secretary Said Aqil Siroj (SAS) Institute Abi Rekso clarified Kiai Said Aqil Siroj's stern warning regarding tax payment issues, that the warning was not an anti-tax invitation.

First of all, it must be understood that Kiai Said Aqil Siroj's statement was a warning, not an invitation. Second, Kiai Said only reminded again that NU clerics had died so that NU residents would not pay taxes. At that time, the problem of Gayus Tambunan appeared," said Abi Rekso, quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, March 5.

In addition, Abi Rekso explained that taxes are public goods. So, every citizen paying taxes has the right to question the integrity and transparency of tax management.

"And what we need to emphasize is that taxes are a form of citizen commitment as well as control over the government," he said.

Kiai Said's stern warning stems from the behavior of Rafael Alun Trisambodo which does not reflect the principle of integrity as a tax officer. The wider public also suspects the origin of Rafael Alun Trisambodo's assets worth tens of billions of rupiah.

Even President Jokowi as the highest leader of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, also responded to non-ethical behavior from high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Finance.

In line with the series of events, Abi Rekso said that there was nothing wrong with the commemoration of Kiai Said Aqil Siroj.

"In the monarchy, the tax is a measure of compliance with the kingdom. Meanwhile, in a democratic republic, taxes are the commitment and control of citizens to the government. Kiai Said is a taxpayer as well as a big cleric, the warning must be interpreted as autocritical while representing public feelings for his annoyance with the behavior of tax officials. There is nothing wrong with his statement, "said Abi Rekso.

Abi assessed that, on Kiai Said's warning to tax collector institutions, discursed the issue of national taxation. It can be seen how President Jokowi finally reacted, Sri Mulyani fired Customs and Excise officials, and the DPR who would summon the Director General of Taxes of the Republic of Indonesia.

"With Buya's warning (Kiai Said Aqil) about taxes, all parties reacted, including President Jokowi. Even the Director General of Taxes became friendly to PBNU. This is good, the national tax discourse is our common concern. Buya Said is 1000 percent of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, anti-tax accusations are too excessive and even slanderous," said the Executive Secretary of Said Aqil Siroj Institute.