"I will fight Rp500,000 or Rp1 million and even Rp10,000 worth of illegal levies," the president said.
Surakarta, C Java (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) reiterated his resolve to fight illegal levies here on Sunday saying that he would even fight an illegal levy which is worth merely Rp10,000.

"I will fight Rp500,000 or Rp1 million and even Rp10,000 worth of illegal levies," he said when he handed over 3,515 land certificates under the 2016 strategic program.

President Jokowi made the statement in response to criticisms over his involvement in the handling of illegal levies uncovered at the ministry of transportation recently.

"It is not the money that matters. Many told me (why should the President) bother about mere million worth illegal levies at the ministry of transportation recently. I will deal with such a case even it was a small one, even I would deal with the smaller one," he said.

President Jokowi said it was the small levies that have even been irritating and frustrating and so good culture must quickly be built.

"It might be small but if it happens from Sabang to Merauke at offices, ports and roads it could total tens of trillions," he said.

President Jokowi said he would check, control and monitor to assure that public services would go well and be free from illegal levies even small ones.

"Let KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission) deal with big cases worth trillions and let me deal with the small ones even worth merely Rp10,000," he said.

He said he wished to assure that Indonesia will be free of illegal levies such in driving license, ID, land certification and other licensing services.

"Illegal levies must be stopped. People must only pay the official ones. If they have to pay Rp50,000 officially they have to do it. But if it is free they must never be ordered to pay," he said.

President Jokowi said efforts to eradicate illegal levies were made so that people had a peace of mind and services in all government offices went well and their processes could be done quickly.

"That is all what I wish for. I have no other motives," he said.

He said that was why "Saber Team" (sweep cleaning team) had been set up.

"We have set up Saber Team to eradicate illegal levies and so no community member must be given any problem. People must be given easy and quick services despite steps and time they have to take," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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