Bekasi Regency (ANTARA) - The Regional People\u2019s Representative\nCouncil (DPRD) of Bekasi Regency, West Java, has detected signs of local\nrevenue leakage from the Street Lighting Tax (PPJ) sector as a result of\ninconsistencies and the opacity of electricity customer data, which is\nno longer seen as merely an administrative issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe DPRD, along with the Bekasi Regency Revenue Agency (Bapenda),\nhas never received precise figures on the number of electricity\ncustomers. Ironically, the data provided by PLN often changes without\nclear explanations,\u201d said Chairman of Commission I of the Bekasi Regency\nDPRD, Ridwan Arifin, in Cikarang on Monday.<\/p>\n
He revealed that the DPRD has issued official summons to PLN\u2019s\nCikarang Distribution Unit (UP3) twice. However, to date, there has been\nno clarification that addresses these anomalies, thereby raising\nsignificant questions for the local government.<\/p>\n
This situation has sparked speculation that the issue may involve an\nunsynchronised reporting system or even undisclosed loopholes.<\/p>\n
The lack of data openness could amplify the risk of tax leakage that\nrightfully belongs to the region.<\/p>\n
The DPRD is now pushing for firmer measures, including the\npossibility of an independent audit of the electricity customer data\nheld by PLN. Additionally, the local executive is urged to intervene\npromptly to mediate this protracted issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf necessary, a joint audit should be conducted. Because this\nconcerns public money,\u201d stated this Gerindra Party politician.<\/p>\n
The Head of the Bekasi Regency Revenue Agency (Bapenda), Iwan Ridwan,\nhas openly questioned the validity of the data, viewing the situation\nnot as a mere technical obstacle but as an indication of weak\ntransparency that could directly impact regional finances.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe data keeps changing. This is not a trivial matter. If the data\nbase is unclear, there is a high likelihood of untapped tax potential,\u201d\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Iwan emphasised that PPJ itself is an important source of Original\nLocal Revenue (PAD), calculated from community electricity consumption.\n\u201cWithout accurate customer data, tax calculations are at risk of\ninaccuracy and even open the door to substantial revenue losses,\u201d he\nstated.<\/p>\n
To date, there has been no official explanation from the local PLN\nregarding the data inconsistencies. This silence only strengthens public\npressure on the importance of transparency, particularly from\nstate-owned enterprises managing vital sectors.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf this issue is allowed to persist without resolution, not only is\nthe PAD potential at risk, but also public trust in financial governance\nand energy sector services in the region,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
PPJ has now been renamed and reconceptualised as the Electricity\nPower Tax (PBJT) under Law No.\u00a01\/2022 on financial relations between the\ncentral and regional governments, effective from 2024.<\/p>\n
PBJT for Electricity Power represents a modernisation of PPJ with\nstronger legal integration and more stringent regional allocation\nobligations, given that fund usage allocations are now more tightly\nregulated by local governments.<\/p>\n
Local governments are required to allocate at least 10 percent of the\ntax receipts to public street lighting facilities and their\ninfrastructure. According to Bekasi Regency Bapenda data, the\nrealisation of Electricity Power Tax for 2026 has reached Rp173.89\nbillion as of Sunday (19\/4) at 4:00 PM WIB.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/legislator-suspects-tax-leakage-due-to-inconsistent-electricity-customer-data-1776682258", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }