Batam, Riau (ANTARA News) - The Singaporean government has expressed its support to Indonesias tax amnesty policy, Singapores Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohamad Maliki Osman stated during his visit to Batam, Riau Islands, on Wednesday.

"Singapore lauds Indonesias tax amnesty program," Osman noted here on Wednesday.

The minister remarked that the program had met international standards.

"The Singaporean government will not prevent the implementation of the tax amnesty program," he reiterated.

He affirmed that the Singaporean government would continue to support and work together with its Indonesian counterpart.

Meanwhile, dozens of entrepreneurs in Batam have consulted with the local tax authority regarding the tax amnesty policy.

"The regional tax office is still providing data," Riau Islands Regional Tax Office spokesperson Mariyaldi revealed.

At the consultation meeting, Batams entrepreneurs inquired about the calculation method and the forms of property, including deposits and legacy holdings.

"The Riau Islands Regional Tax Office has not been able to estimate the total amount of repatriated funds," Mariyaldi remarked.

Earlier, the Finance Ministrys Directorate General of Taxation had said it will not conduct law enforcement related to the implementation of tax amnesty.

"The Directorate General of Taxation will stop all investigation processes related to tax crimes to support the tax amnesty program," Director General of Taxation Ken Dwijugiasteadi stated at an event to spread awareness on the tax amnesty program at the Jakarta International Expo Kemayoran, Jakarta, here on Monday night.

The Directorate General of Taxation has prepared the regulation to stop all investigation processes related to tax crimes.

According to Article 2 of the Tax Amnesty Law, a tax amnesty should be conducted under the principles of legal certainty, fairness, expediency, and national interests.

Article 3, Paragraph (3) of the Tax Amnesty Law also stipulates that taxpayers may request an amnesty except if they are being investigated and their investigation file has been completed or they are undergoing a criminal penalty in the taxation area.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati also said she will stop all investigation processes related to tax crimes to support the policy.

"We will stop all investigations into tax crimes," she affirmed.

Taxpayers fear investigation of criminal offenses in the area of taxation.

"The taxation authorities will not apply pressure and will not intimidate taxpayers," the minister emphasized.

Several complaints will be reserved for accepting reports of allegations of intimidation.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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