Purbaya Forms Special Team to Pursue Tax Evaders

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has revealed plans to form a special team involving the Directorate General of Taxation (DJP) and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC). This initiative aims to tighten law enforcement against companies that have not fulfilled their tax obligations, including 40 companies suspected of tax evasion. The team will be directly under the coordination of the Inspectorate General or high-ranking officials such as the Secretary General, and is planned to be overseen directly by the Minister for State Secretary (Mensesneg) to ensure independence and effectiveness in enforcement. “I will form a special team in Taxation and Customs and Excise directly under the Inspector General or Secretary General to carry that out,” said Purbaya during a media briefing, quoted on Monday (27/4/2026). Purbaya also assessed that there is potential for protection at the operational level that makes case handling suboptimal. Therefore, the formation of the special team is hoped to cut through such barriers. “So if it’s given to the tax people there, it seems they are also protected,” he stated. Purbaya admitted to having met with the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia. In the meeting, the Chinese Ambassador stated that he would encourage companies from his country to comply, but the realisation is deemed not yet optimal. “It turns out in the field it depends on money. If profitable, they will keep violating; if there is no enforcement, they will keep violating,” Purbaya revealed.