Probo rejects Bali Declaration<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The coordinating board of 12 associations of
\nmedium and small businesspeople rejected yesterday any direct
\nassistance from big businesses, urging the government to impose a
\nwealth tax of 2.5 percent instead.<\/p>\n
\"We hereby state our rejection of any direct assistance from
\nconglomerates,\" Probosutedjo, chairman of the board announced in
\na statement issued as a reaction to the Bali Declaration of big
\nbusinesses late last month.<\/p>\n
Probosutedjo said his organization was doubtful that the Bali
\nDeclaration of Aug. 27 really reflected a strong commitment on the
\npart of conglomerates to helping develop small businesses.<\/p>\n
He recalled similar commitments made by conglomerates in 1984
\nand 1990 which have yet to be realized.<\/p>\n
The declaration, issued by 100 of Indonesia's largest
\nbusiness groups, reaffirmed their commitment to redress the wide
\ninequity in the distribution of incomes and assets by enhancing
\nlinkages between big, medium and small businesses.<\/p>\n
The seven-point declaration, issued after a three-day
\nrefresher course on the state ideology Pancasila, in Bali, also
\nreaffirms that democracy is the foundation of national
\ndevelopment, calls for talks between the government and the
\nbusiness community, and reemphasizes the vital importance of
\nbroad-based participation in the development process.<\/p>\n
Probosutedjo, considered one of the most outspoken businessmen
\nin the country, contended that the government is obligated to
\ndevelop small businesses.<\/p>\n
\"The development of small firms should not be left to big
\nbusinessmen on a charity basis because most of those
\nconglomerates have yet to adopt the spirit of national unity,\"
\ninsisted Probosutedjo, who controls a widely-diversified business
\ngroup.<\/p>\n
Probosutedjo said his organization therefore urges the
\ngovernment to reimpose a 2.5 percent wealth tax.<\/p>\n
The wealth tax was integrated into property tax in 1985, and
\nonly covers land and buildings.<\/p>\n
\"Based on the estimated total wealth of Rp 280 trillion
\n(US$125.8 billion) owned by the 100 conglomerates, such a tax
\nwill raise Rp 7.5 trillion a year which can be used to develop
\nsmall enterprises,\" Probosutedjo explained. (vin)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/probo-rejects-bali-declaration-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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