Tax Amnesty and Commodity of Politics of Jakarta Governor Election 2017

kompasiana.com

Tax amnesty seems to be in a right moment with the announcement of candidate endorsed for governor election in 2017. Namely there are three candidates ahok-jarot, the incumbent, anis-uno and agus- sylviana. 
The split of tax amnesty into political tendency began with the vice governor candidate sandiaga uno who came to the general directorate of taxation for 2 times in order to join the tax amnesty of first term. Uno who was being covered by media conveying to all governor and vice governor candidates to join the flagship program of government as real commitment to support economy growth and government platform.

Responding to the call of sandiaga, ahok the incumbent stating that tax amnesty is merely aimed for the tax evaders. Ahok said that he himself would not join the scheme ever since he is always obedient to pay taxes and perform regular asset report as government official. Hence, this ex bangka belitung mayor stressed that he has no obligation to partake in tax amnesty. According to ahok, it is different with uno who even allegedly involved in panama papers scandal, the company scheme to avoid tax obligation.

Further, ahok said to have made proof of reverse treasure as regulated in Law No. 7 of 2006 on  Ratification of the United Nations against Corruption. Indeed, uno previously challenged ahok to make a proof of his reverse treasure. " Let see the proof if ahok will prove asset reverse and not only a jerk", uno said.

The polemy between of these both candidate has not ended. What becomes the problem that the statement of ahok pointing out sandiaga as tax evader in certain point irritating him. Uno objected that such statement is liable to legal law because it's a sort of defamation. While being urged by his colleague to take legal step, uno said to have forgiven ahok's words. " Thank you ahok for diminishing my sins", said uno.

Taking tax amnesty into politics though it absolutely by coincidence to recur in the same time is nevertheless not a good precedence. Even the palace ever stated not to use the scheme for politization. 

However, the presidential taste of governor election apparantly capable to use any commodity to trawl the reaction of citizens(of jakarta). It is nice to see how sandiaga reacted in smooth way not to reciprocate blindly citation as tax evader. He is in effort to win the sympathy of jakarta people by doing so. There is a need of eloquent strategy indeed and sandiaga uno appears to understand the strategy. Yet, what remains the big question then is the involvement of sandiaga uno in panama papers scandal as inquired by tempo.co. Up to now, the case has not found the clear clarification. It remains the puzzle for votes. How effective then the smooth reaction of sandiaga uno toward citation as tax evaders? Probably, it is hard to erase in people's memory about the panama papers that needs explanation of uno.

Meanwhile, for ahok, the issue of tax amnesty can highlight his image as a clean prototype of government officials. Tax amnesty seems to be the right vessel to convey to people how obedient ahok paying the obligation of tax. Remember, taxes becomes the paramount measure how credible  to run as leader of the metropolitan. Ahok's rival thus has to be more prudent on reacting to the issue thrown by the incumbent. Because it is a lethal weapon of ahok to unstrap the real honesty of candidate as determined by their obedience to pay contribution to the state. 

It is crucial while the state is looking for real clean leaders not those who mask themselves with meekness, politeness, good guy but indeed the top robber of state's treasure.