Jambi taxpayers should pay Rp1b

Jambi taxpayers should pay Rp1b

JAMBI: Jambi's land and building tax office disclosed that
many businessmen and officials were late in paying taxes
amounting to Rp 1.3 billion (US$144.444) in the 1999-2004 period.

Tax collection official, Rakhimi, said that of the
businessmen's unpaid taxes, Rp 655 million was owed by
businessman Akeng, who promised to pay his obligation
immediately.

He said he could not disclose the names of the other
delinquent taxpayers since they may flee.

Economics and development observer Emilia Hamzah said it was
embarrassing to learn that businessmen and officials were among
the delinquent taxpayers. "The unpaid taxes will reduce the land
and building productivity," she said on Saturday.

She urged that legal action be taken against them. "The land
and building tax office should take the delinquent taxpayers into
custody and release them once they meet their obligation," she
said. -- JP