"As of now we must really abide by the rules and should never make wrong compromises," Budiono said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President Boediono said the case of former tax official Gayus Tambunan should become an eye opener for all officials and businessmen on the importance of abiding by existing rules.

"As of now we must really abide by the rules and should never make wrong compromises," he said at the commemoration of the 59th anniversary of the Association of Indonesian businessmen (APINDO) here on Monday.

Gayus had recently been convicted of corruption and sentenced to seven years in jail. His case has drawn a lot of public scrutiny because of its web of involvement that includes businesses and law enforcement officials.

Boediono said the government supported positive partnership with businessmen to boost the country`s economy so that it would be better and able to compete in global competition.

"The government is very committed to creating strong and clean governance and this needs to be responded well by businessmen," he said.

He said the government and the business shared the common goal of building positive partnership.

"Our goal is the same namely developing better national economy which will be competitive at global levels. Differences are a common thing. There must be agrement that could be made. It is here that positive partnership is needed, in which the government and the business play their roles positively in line with rules that have been agreed upon," he said.

"Do not even make wrong compromises like the ones shown in legal cases so far. The state and the business must know and abide by the rules," he said.

Boediono said positive partnership between the government and the business was a must that had to be built honestly in a positive atmosphere.

"That way I agree that Indonesia will be able to meet various current global economic challenges and uncertainties," he said.

Apindo`s chairman Sofyan Wanandi on the occasion said the global economic crisis that had caused uncertainty had to be responded more seriously by the government.

"We wish the government would be able to become the locomotive, the unifier of all national components including businessmen so that Indonesia would be able to face current global economic uncertainty," he said.

He said the government had to be united. "They must not fight among themselves, one politician against the other. The situation right now has made us being held hostage in a political conflict. Businessmen become confused," he said.

The event was also attended by coordinating minister for economic affairs Hatta Rajasa and trade minister Mari Elka Pangestu as well as former vice president Jusuf Kalla.
(T.R018/Uu.H-YH/HAJM/F001)

Editor: Guntur Mulyo W
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