Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro called on all parties to prioritize the nations interests while implementing the tax amnesty policy.

"We urge all parties to prioritize national interests and to not focus on the interests of any particular group," Brodjonegoro stated here on Monday.

The minister did not voice his protest against the civil society organization, which had lodged a judicial review on the Tax Amnesty Law, as it was the right of every citizen in line with the law.

However, the minister emphasized the importance of the policy to improve the nations economy.

Taxation Director General Ken Dwijugiasteadi did not express concern over the lawsuit against the Tax Amnesty Law as it was the right of every citizen.

Meanwhile, Governor of Bank Indonesia Agus Martowardojo believed that the government and the House had formulated the Tax Amnesty Law properly.

"We do not have to worry about the lawsuit. I see that the public response is quite positive," the governor pointed out.

The policy was implemented at the right time, as the global economy had slowed down, and foreign investors were looking for countries that were safe for investment, the governor noted.

"I welcome the law. The regulation will strengthen the rupiah exchange rate," the governor remarked.

Trade Minister Thomas Lembong had earlier stated that the tax amnesty policy would improve transparency in the trade sector.

"The registered assets must be open and transparent. The entrepreneurs cannot hide their assets," Lembong emphasized here on Friday.

The minister hoped that the policy will be able to reduce the practice of transfer pricing, as it was merely a mechanism to evade taxes.

The minister urged the entrepreneurs to report their assets to the government by utilizing the tax amnesty program.

"The public can obtain information on the assets owned by entrepreneurs through the internet, as in the case of the Panama Papers," the minister affirmed.

Moreover, President Joko Widodo, in his speech at the launch of the tax amnesty scheme, revealed that he already had a list of names and addresses of the people, who had stashed their money abroad.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016