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| Foto:Kemenkeu Indonesia Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa |
VISTORBELITUNG.COM,JAKARTA – A startling proposal has emerged from a high-level economic discussion, suggesting a radical overhaul of Indonesia's tax collection system. Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, a prominent economist and former Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs, revealed that there is a discourse within government circles to potentially suspend the operations of the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) and return to a system managed by a foreign private company, akin to the era when Swiss firm Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) was involved.
This revelation has sent ripples through the financial and policy communities, sparking a fierce debate on the effectiveness and integrity of the nation's current tax apparatus.
To understand the proposal, one must look back to the New Order period under President Soeharto. In the 1980s, Indonesia's customs and excise services were plagued by widespread corruption and inefficiency, leading to significant revenue leakage.
To combat this, the government contracted SGS, a Swiss inspection company, in 1985 to provide pre-shipment inspection services for imports. SGS was tasked with verifying the value, quantity, and classification of goods abroad before they were shipped to Indonesia. This system, known as the "System Assessment and Scanning" or "Laporan Surveyor" (Surveyor's Report), drastically reduced opportunities for under-invoicing and smuggling.
The SGS system was largely considered a success in its time, cleaning up customs administration and increasing state revenue. The model was so effective that it inspired other countries to adopt similar schemes.
Purbaya's disclosure indicates a deep-seated frustration with the current state of the DJP. Despite various modernization efforts, including digitalization, the tax directorate has been marred by recent scandals, most notably the corruption case involving former DJP official Rafael Alun Trisambodo, which exposed extravagant lifestyles funded by illicit wealth.
According to Purbaya, the idea of bringing back a system like SGS is being floated as a "shock therapy" measure. The logic is that if the internal institution is perceived as irreparably broken, outsourcing its core functions to a transparent and accountable third party could be a solution.
"The discourse is, if the DJP is considered unable to reform itself, it could be 'put to sleep' temporarily. Its duties would then be handed over to a private entity, for example, one like SGS, to manage tax collection and administration," Purbaya explained in a public discussion.
Pros and Cons: A Heated Debate
The proposal has naturally drawn strong reactions from various stakeholders.
Arguments in Favor:
· Eradicating Corruption: A private, international firm would operate with a higher degree of accountability and be less susceptible to the local collusion and nepotism that often plague state institutions.
· Technical Expertise: Companies like SGS possess advanced technology and global best practices in auditing and compliance, which could plug revenue leaks.
· Immediate Revenue Boost: As seen in the 1980s, such a move could lead to a swift and significant increase in tax revenue for the state.dari
· National Sovereignty: Critics argue that tax collection is a fundamental function of a sovereign state. Outsourcing it to a foreign company would be a major retreat of state authority and could be seen as a national embarrassment.
· Long-term Capacity Building: This move would stunt the growth and reform of the DJP. Instead of fixing the root problems such as leadership, internal culture, and legal enforcement the state would be avoiding its responsibility.
· Cost and Complexity: The contract with a private firm would be extremely costly and complex. Furthermore, Indonesia's economy is far larger and more complex now than in the 1980s, making such a task monumental.
· Data Security: Handing over the entire nation's tax data to a private entity raises immense concerns about data privacy and national security.
While the discourse is gaining attention, it remains a highly controversial idea. The government, through the Ministry of Finance, has consistently stated its commitment to internal reform of the DJP. Measures include strengthening supervision, enhancing digital systems, and imposing strict ethical codes.
The proposal to suspend the DJP and hire an entity like SGS serves more as a stark warning of the consequences of failed reform. It underscores the urgency for the DJP to clean its house and restore public trust.
Whether this radical idea moves beyond discourse or remains a historical footnote will depend on the ability of Indonesia's tax authorities to demonstrate tangible, credible, and sustained improvement in the months to come. The clock is ticking for the DJP to prove that it can be the modern, trustworthy institution the nation needs.