President Jokowi Asks to Maximize Tax Revenue

President Jokowi leads a limited meeting on the Development of the 2016 Revised State Budget (APBNP) and the 2017 Draft State Budget on Friday (16/9), at the Presidential Office, Jakarta

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo instructed all ministers and heads of institutions to guard the implementation of the 2016 Revised State Budget (APBNP) so the economic growth can be well-maintained, job opportunity can be opened, and the Government can focus on the infrastructure development, as well as reduce inequality and poverty.

President Jokowi admitted that the global economic condition has not completely recovered yet. The economic slowdown is predicted to hit the world again next year. Therefore, the President instructed all ministers and heads of institutions to focus on improving conditions in Indonesia with concrete measures, that aims to improve the source of growth.

“It can be done by focusing on productive sectors in state expenditures, by improving business climate and attracting investment as much as possible in order to maintain the momentum of economic growth in Indonesia,” President Jokowi said in his introductory remarks of the limited meeting on Friday (16/9), at the Presidential Office, Jakarta.

To guard the implementation of the 2016 State Budget, the President asked to take several measures which maximize the tax revenue, either from regular sources or  from tax amnesty. Moreover, it also needs to maximize the potentials of non-tax revenues (PNBP), including unpaid debts and control the cost recovery of oil and gas to support optimal revenues.

“Expenditure-saving measures which are stipulated in the Presidential Instruction (Inpres)  should be taken consistently,” President Jokowi asked.

The President also instructed Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani to cooperate with Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo to intensify communication with the Governors, Regents, and Mayors on the control and postponement of revenue-sharing and the allocation of public funds, so everyone can understand and manage these changes well.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, Minister of Manpower Hanif Dakhiri, Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukito, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of National Land Agency Sofyan Djalil, Minister of Communication and Informatics Rudiantara, Attorney General Agung Prasetyo, and Head of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong also attended the limited meeting.(FID/DND/RAH/ES) (RAS/MMB/YM/Naster)