12 Percent VAT, Gerindra Accuses PDI Perjuangan Of Responsibility

Member Of The Indonesian House Of Representatives From The Gerindra Party Faction, Novita Wijayanti (doc Gerindra)

JAKARTA Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Gerindra Party faction, Novita Wijayanti, highlighted the polemic regarding the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) to 12 percent which will be implemented starting January 2025.

According to Novita, the policy is part of the Law on Harmonization of Tax Regulations (UU HPP) which was passed in 2021, where the PDI-P is referred to as the main initiator.

"It should be remembered that the proposal (UU HPP, ed) is not something that comes suddenly, but part of a policy that has been agreed upon through the Law on Harmonization of Tax Regulations in 2021, which at that time was proposed by the PDI-P itself," said Novita when responding to the polemic in Jakarta, Sunday, December 22.

Novita strongly criticized the PDI-P's stance, which now rejects the 12 percent increase in VAT and accuses President Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming's government of not being pro-people. According to him, this step shows an irresponsible attitude.

"Actually, they (PDI Perjuangan, ed) proposed and decided. Now it seems as if they are throwing mistakes at Pak Prabowo, even though he has only served as President for two months," said Novita.

He also appealed to stakeholders not to play roles as victims (playing victims) to gain public sympathy. According to him, the main focus now is to find solutions to ease the burden on the people, while ensuring the sustainability of economic development.

"Let's be honest and open in this political discourse, and stop playing the role of a victim of a policy that is actually the result of a mutual agreement," said the legislator from the Central Java VIII electoral district.

Novita also emphasized the importance of ensuring that this policy was implemented wisely in the interests of the people.

Previously, Deputy Chairman of the DPR's Budget Agency (Banggar), Wihadi Wiyanto, revealed that Law Number 7 of 2021 concerning Harmonization of Tax Regulations (UU HPP) was initiated by the PDI-P faction.

He said that the Head of the Working Committee (Panja) for the HPP Bill at that time, Dolfie Othniel Frederic Palit, was a member of the PDI-P faction.

This polemic emerged ahead of the implementation of the increase in VAT rates to 12 percent on January 1, 2025, which is one of the important points in the HPP Law.