University of Indonesia (UI) Senior Economist Faisal Basri suggested that the coal be subject tax 25 percent The reason is to prevent the fuel subsidy getting bigger.
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| Alasan Faisal Basri Usulkan Batu Bara Kena Pajak 25 Persen |
"The coal sector is only taxed at a minimum of 25 percent. After all, they can get a windfall without any effort (commodity price spikes)," he said in a virtual discussion with the newbie , Friday (9/9) night.
Faisal assessed that the levy on the coal sector should be higher than the tariff on export levies for palm oil (CPO). The CPO levy itself is now free until the end of October 2022.
Faisal also advised the government to collect higher taxes from coal entrepreneurs, considering that coal entrepreneurs get a large income when price spikes occur in the global market.
"In this coal there are no farmers. The contents are all large. So the owner of this coal mine must be charged a larger amount (the export levy)," he said.
Not only proposing a tax increase in the coal sector, Faisal assessed that the government should remove the Pertamax fuel subsidy. So, the subsidy is sufficient only for Pertalite and diesel.
Faisal also advised the government to temporarily postpone the construction of the State Capital (IKN) and the construction of toll roads that are currently underway.
Faisal assessed that this development will not be directly enjoyed by the poor. This development adds to the burden on the state.
Funds for IKN development have the potential to make the state reduce spending on direct needs, such as assistance to target the poor.
"People's stomachs can't wait three to four years. IKN can be delayed. Freeze IKN development for 2 years, it won't collapse the country," he said.
Faisal also highlighted President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) who broke his promise regarding the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Train (KCJB).
According to him, Jokowi initially stated that the construction of KCJB would not use state money. The government should try to find other sources of funds besides the state budget.
"The fast train (KCJB) promises not to be financed by the state budget, look for other ways. These SOEs should not be spoiled," he said.
In addition, Faisal believes that the government must improve the management of fuel distribution. He urged the government to improve the data so that the fuel subsidy is right on target.
He also asked the government to start saving fuel reserves. That is, when prices are normal, the state's income is set aside to buy and store as oil stocks.
According to Faisal, this action can reduce Indonesia's imports because Indonesia already has sufficient reserves.
"This has been conveyed since the beginning of the Jokowi government. So when every normal oil price is bought, just save it. It was once suggested but rejected," he said.
"In fact, if it is done, the government has 6 years now, the stock has been plentiful. So when the price (of oil) goes up, the government does not need to increase the price by 30 percent. Because 30 percent is hard for the people," he said.
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