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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Economy & Trade

CELIOS Urges Immediate Implementation of Super Rich Tax

From Republika · (3h ago) Indonesian Critical tone

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • CELIOS Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara urges the Indonesian government to immediately implement a wealth tax on the super-rich.
  • He criticizes the Ministry of Finance's plan to introduce the tax by 2028 as too slow, given the current economic vulnerabilities.
  • Adhinegara argues that the super-rich, particularly those in extractive industries, are profiting from global crises while the burden falls on the general public.

The Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) is sounding the alarm, demanding immediate action on a wealth tax for Indonesia's super-rich. Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara minced no words, calling the Ministry of Finance's timeline of 2028 'too late.' In a nation grappling with escalating global and domestic economic pressures, delaying such a crucial fiscal reform is not just an oversight; it's a failure to protect the most vulnerable.

The Ministry of Finance issues a plan, only by 2028 they will have a wealth tax. Not 2028, but April, there are still a few days left. Pass this wealth tax issue, discuss it in parliament.

— Bhima Yudhistira AdhinegaraUrging immediate implementation of the wealth tax, criticizing the 2028 timeline.

Adhinegara's research, highlighted in the report 'Economic Inequality Report in Indonesia 2026: Republic of Oligarchy,' paints a stark picture. While the world faces a 'perfect storm' of energy crises, global conflicts, and supply chain disruptions, a select few are reaping unprecedented profits. He points directly at extractive industries, where the nation's wealthiest individuals are experiencing a 'windfall.' This stark contrast—where a handful profit immensely while the majority bear the brunt of rising energy costs and economic instability—is fundamentally unjust and unsustainable.

There are those who profit, there are those who make huge profits. Who? Extractive business people. The 50 richest people, most of them are in the extractive sector who are now enjoying the windfall. We bear the suffering, how nice. They profit, we lose.

— Bhima Yudhistira AdhinegaraHighlighting the disparity between the profits of the super-rich and the economic burden on the public.

From the perspective of Republika, an outlet committed to reflecting the concerns of the Indonesian populace, this call for a wealth tax is not merely an economic proposal; it's a matter of fairness and social justice. The current tax structure, which disproportionately burdens the middle class while the wealthiest contribute proportionally less, needs a radical overhaul. Adhinegara's plea for the government to 'pass this wealth tax issue, discuss it in parliament' is a direct challenge to prioritize the well-being of the many over the interests of a powerful few. This is a critical moment for Indonesia to demonstrate its commitment to equitable development and to ensure that the nation's prosperity is shared, not hoarded.

If they really don't want to do that, it means they clearly side with the oligarchy.

— Bhima Yudhistira AdhinegaraAccusing the government of siding with oligarchs if the wealth tax is not implemented.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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