Introductory Remarks of President Joko Widodo during the Limited Cabinet Meeting on Measures for Preventing Money Laundering and Tax Evasion, at Presidential Office, Jakarta, 21 March 2016

Unofficial English Translation

Firstly, I express my sincere sympathy to Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI) and National Intelligence Agency (BIN) and my condolences on the passing of Colonel Syaiful Anwar, Colonel Andri Heri Setiaji, and Infantry Colonel Ontang and the other officers who have passed away during their duty in Poso. May Allah SWT bless their souls and accept their good deeds.

The agenda of the limited cabinet meeting this afternoon will discuss preventative measures against money laundering and tax evasion.

Therefore, I request that concrete measures should be implemented to integrate financial transaction reports and analysis with tax reports. Furthermore, monitoring will be much easier when profiles of taxpayers can be integrated.

A good synergy between our law enforcement agencies is the main key to having the law against tax crimes and money laundering well-implemented. It is necessary to improve coordination between Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), the Police, Attorney General’ Office, and Directorate General of Taxes in particular if there is a suspicion about tax evasion and money laundering.

All elements must work synergistically. No more sectoral egos that may cause frictions and conflicts within our law enforcement agencies. The tax enforcers should not be intimidated from carrying out their task in a synergistic manner.

Bank Indonesia and Financial Services Authority (OJK) must be involved in monitoring the sectors which are prone to money laundering, be it related to drugs, illegal trade, transfer pricing, and others.

That is all I have to say.

Now, I would like to invite the Coordinating Minister or Finance Minister to take the floor. (Humas Setkab)(AW/YM/Naster)