Because of the incident at (the directorate generals) of tax and customs, excise, I know very well of people's disappointment toward our apparatus, toward the government.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has said that her administration will carry out improvements, as per President Joko Widodo’s directives, to ensure that the apparatus provide the people with good services and avoid arrogant behavior.

"We will improve as per Mr. President's directives," she said at the Presidential Palace after a cabinet meeting here on Thursday.

During the meeting, the head of state discussed people's disappointment with an official and a family member of a former official at the Finance Ministry, both of whom were known to flaunt their wealth and assets on social media platforms.

"I read it, both in (real life) and on social media. Because of the incident at (the directorate generals) of tax and customs, excise, I know very well of people's disappointment toward our apparatus, toward the government," he said.

All state apparatuses—not just those with the directorate generals of tax or customs and excise—must not flaunt their wealth, assets, positions, and titles, he stressed. If they keep exhibiting such arrogance and provide poor services, people would be upset.

"Because the services are deemed poor, and apparatus show arrogant behavior, showing off their power and wealth, hedonistic," he elaborated.

The President urged ministries and institutions to keep the behaviors of their members in check. The directive was also aimed at the National Police, the Attorney General's Office, and other state officials.
"Once more, I need to highlight it. Do not flex power. Do not flex wealth, to the point you even show it off on Instagram, social medias," the President said.

A former official at the Directorate General of Tax at the Finance Ministry, Rafael Alun Trisambodo, drew public attention because of an alleged assault perpetrated by his son, Mario Dandy, against David, 17, in North Jakarta. The violent encounter was recorded, and it spread on social media.

The case turned the public spotlight on Mario Dandy's habit of flexing on social media platforms, where he often posted about the expensive vehicles he owned.

Trisambodo’s total assets of Rp56 billion (US$3.7 million) also attracted public scrutiny since many people felt his wealth was disproportionate to his position as an echelon III official.

Currently, the Finance Ministry and the Commission on Corruption Eradication are investigating Trisambodo's assets.

Another official from the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of the Finance Ministry, Eko Darmanto, also became the subject of public scrutiny for posting about his wealth on cyberspace often.

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Translator: Indra A P, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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