The conduct of the state apparatus

The conduct of the state apparatus

Officials of the directorate general for taxation have reportedly intimidated tax evaders by detaining bad debtors without prior trial. The move is actually the directorate's last recourse to collect taxes.

We support the upholding of the law, especially when it is done for the country's sake but detaining recalcitrant taxpayers -- technically known as gijzelling in the Dutch and Indonesian legal systems -- must be carried out wisely and justly.

The directorate's officials should not make the move only to serve their interests, as this could lead to extortion and collusion.

The policy should thus be closely supervised so as to prevent officials from taking advantage of such a move.

The state apparatus and government officials should protect and serve the people without vested interest.

We thus urge them to resign if they cannot be honest.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta