Tax amnesty could backfire on indonesia

With the panama papers exposure of tax haven wealth stashed and tax fraud around the world, indonesia is hoping their planed tax amnesty will bring hidden money back into the country. FAT CHANCE in my opinion. The tax amnesty could bring some Rp2,000 trillion rupiah ( USD153 billion ) back into the country. This could also strengthen the rupiah and thereby hurt exports. (catch 22). As i have lived in this country for the last 18 years i would say this plan is just as corrupt as the people who have stashed their ill gotten gains overseas. The local term for politicians and high end business is KKN, I.E. corruption,cronyism and nepotism. Every day there are reports of arrests or fugitives on the run for KKN. Unfortunately this practice is embedded and endemic in society, from politicians,police,army,local officials,immigration etc..etc. Unfortunately the local people have turned a blind eye to these problems. What can i do? Nothing to do with me.......SAD, yep, VERY SAD...... www.thejakartapost.com...

18 years is a long time.

Have you noticed how other parts of the world are not nearly as good at hiding their corruption,cronyism and nepotism as other more sophisticated first world countries are ? I have just about decided it is the way of the world no matter where you call home.

Seems like more and more countries (I am not going to name any intentionally) have taken the Chinese or Turkish play book and used it to silence all dissenting voices.

The power brokers in their individual countries are all on the same team and determined to hold that power one way or the other.

a reply to: 727Sky

Today in the Jakarta Post: The Corruption Eradication Commission, or KPK, said they confiscated a total of Rp 1.7 billion ($130,000) in six different currencies from the home of the Supreme Court secretary. It was bribe money for the current criminal charges against the Supreme Court bailiff. Great country to learn the "tricks of the trade" and insight into how KKN the business works. Disgusting criminals at work, pray 5 times a day and in between "rip-off" who you can.....

Around here it is the police who shake everyone down. You own a small bar they give you a bank account number to pay into each month. All the bar owners I know pay because they do not want problems. Get a speeding ticket and pay (exchange rate) cash 6$ to the cops or get the formal government paperwork and pay double or triple. Not much different than the speed traps in the states that are used to fund their small town police departments.

You are a member of the military and want a promotion you can buy one from your commander. At least everyone knows how it works in many countries and they do not even try to hide what is going on. Not hypocritical I give them that...


Not to mention the ones who have clawed their way to the top all seem to leave office with billions in their overseas bank accounts.. Best policy anymore is just stay below the radar with your personal thoughts. For the thought patrol police are more active today than ever before...

double post sorry