Jakarta, Petrominer – Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia gave a positive appreciation for Indonesia’s Commitment in the 2016 London Anti-Corruption Summit or the Anti-Corruption Summit which took place in London on May 12, 2016. The government is requested that the commitment be accompanied by concrete steps through certain and measurable stages.

In the country statement document, Indonesia carries crucial issues that are currently becoming a public concern in the country, including transparency of ownership of business entities/companies that are popularly called beneficial ownership (BO). That was done to prevent corruption, tax avoidance, financing of terrorism, and money laundering practices.

In the tax sector and fiscal transparency, Indonesia said it would implement the G20 principles both in the procurement integrity standard and in the open data principle. While in the field of taxation, Indonesia is committed to implementing the Common Reporting Standard and Addis Tax Initiative initiatives. Other commitments highlighted by the Government of Indonesia include those relating to whistleblowers, asset recovery and recovery, anti-impunity, and the development of aspects of innovation, culture, and anti-corruption education.

“Indonesia’s commitment stated in the international forum must be accompanied by concrete steps in the country through certain and measurable stages,” said PWYP Indonesia’s National Coordinator, Maryati Abdullah, Monday (5/16).

With regard to transparency of beneficial ownership, Maryati explained, the Government must immediately realize more clear and strict rules to encourage the principle, for example with provisions on the stock exchange, transparency of company ownership through the Director-General of AHU-Kemenkumham. The regulation must also be stated in other integrated Government regulations such as the application of the Single Identity Number (SIN) system.

“Reaffirming Indonesia’s commitment to implementing the Addis Tax Initiatives (ATI) which Indonesia is also a member of is also a positive step to ensure policy coherence for development because it also contains a commitment to improving the taxation system and revenue management from the natural resource sector,” she explained.

The forum, which was attended by heads of state, government and parliamentary officials, and civil society organizations from nearly 40 countries in the world, produced a communique that emphasized that overcoming corruption is important for the sustainability of economic stability and growth, public security, protection of human rights, poverty reduction, environmental protection for future generations, and overcoming serious organized crime. No country is immune from corruption, therefore the Government needs to work together and partner with civil society, the private sector, and other strategic components.

This challenge must be overcome with openness because it is a shared responsibility and commitment as it is the goal of sustainable development to substantially reduce the number of corruption and bribery in various forms, as well as strengthen confiscation efforts and return of corrupted assets (Goal 16 – SDGs). (Pris)

Source: here.