REPUBLIKA.CO.ID -- Indonesia is still facing serious problems with corruption and bribery cases even in the midts of corona virus pandemic. Now cases of corruption and bribery are taking place in the ministry of finance.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) of Indonesia confirmed the investigation of the alleged tax bribery case at the Directorate General (Ditjen) of Taxes, Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu). However, the KPK does not want to announce the suspect even though it has already determined them.

"We are really investigating, we will be looking for evidence. This is what we are doing," said KPK Deputy Chairman Alexander Marwata at the KPK building, Jakarta, Tuesday (2/3).

With this investigation, the KPK has named a suspect in the case. However, Alex has not been able to explain in more detail regarding the case and who is the suspect.

He said that the KPK investigative team is currently working to gather evidence in this case. "Later, when the evidence is sufficient, of course we will expose it. Investigators are now working so that the evidence is strong enough. Later we determine the suspect, we will immediately arrest the person," said Alex.

Alex explained that the current mode of tax bribery is the same as the case that was handled by the KPK before, in which taxpayers gave bribes to tax auditors in order to lower the tax value. In fact, said Alex, the current value of tax bribes is around tens of billions of rupiah.

"The bribes are also in the tens of billions. It is not wrong that it also involves a team of examiners. If the tax is that way, how do you make the taxpayer pay low taxes by bribing the examiner so that the tax is lowered," said Alex.

Alex said that his institution has also coordinated with the Inspectorate General (Itjen) of the Ministry of Finance. The KPK will handle the bribery case, while the Inspectorate General of the Ministry of Finance and the Directorate General of Taxes of the Ministry of Finance re-examine the tax payments that are suspected of containing the bribe.

Acting KPK spokesman Ali Fikri in Jakarta, Wednesday (3/3), stated that the KPK will immediately reveal details of the alleged bribery case for civil servants in the Ministry of Finance. However, KPK admits that it has not been able to expose in detail the cases that are said to have been committed by officials of the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP).

"We are currently unable to convey the details of the case and the suspects," he said

He said the details of the case could not be conveyed at this time following the KPK's internal policy. He said the publication of the case including the announcement of the suspect will be carried out when the arrest or detention of the suspect has been carried out.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani explained to the public regarding the alleged bribery case of civil servants (PNS) within the Ministry of Finance. Sri Mulyani felt betrayed.

"The alleged bribery involving the DGT is clearly a betrayal and has hurt the feelings of all DJP employees and all levels of the Ministry of Finance," he said during a virtual press conference "Investigating Alleged Bribery Cases" Wednesday (3/3).

Sri Mulyani said that tax revenue is the backbone of the state revenue and expenditure budget (APBN). This is important in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic because of tax revenue for handling from health, social and economic aspects.

"Efforts are made to continue to maintain the economic recovery of state revenue, so that it is able to support the community in facing Covid-19 and support the business world to recover. This is a disappointing thing for all of us, "he said.

Sri Mulyani ensured that employees suspected of being involved in bribery cases were released and resigned from the Directorate General of Taxes (DGT).

Sri Mulyani said, this case originated from a complaint that occurred in 2020. Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance's internal compliance unit collaborated with the KPK to investigate part of the follow-up to the complaint.

"In order to facilitate the KPK process, the concerned DJP employee has resigned and is processed in the ASN regulations because of the negative impact on the performance of the DGT organization," he said.

According to him, the alleged bribery is currently being investigated by the KPK on the basis of the presumption of innocence. DGT employees who are suspected of accepting bribes have now been released from their positions for resigning.

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