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