KUNTORO : FINANCE MINISTRY'S REMUNERATION POLICY NOT WRONG

Jakarta, March 30 (ANTARA) - The chief of the government's task force charged with eradicating judicial mafia said the finance ministry's remuneration policy was right despite the recent discovery of a tax scandal.

"The remuneration concept is right. It (the tax scandal) is just an isolated case," Kuntoro, the chief of the task force, said to newsmen after a meeting with Vice President Boediono here on Tuesday.

A tax official, Gayus Tambunan, had recently been revealed as allegedly having embezzled tax payments.

Kuntoro said the case was a mere "bad luck" which had to be dealt with but it did not mean to show that reform efforts and remuneration system had not worked well and correctly.

In connection with Gayus Tambunan that had fled to Singapore, he said the case had been in the hands of the police and the task force had already carried out its duty based on its authority.

"The task force has done what it has done namely submitting initial data to the police," he said.

Regarding Gayus, he said he was concerned that it had happened. "I think it is very concerning," he said.

Asked about his suggestion to deal with the case, Kuntoro said "let it become the homework of the finance minister."
Deputy house speaker Priyo Budi Santoso meanwhile said that the House of Representatives (DPR) would review the implementation of the remuneration system in the finance ministry to see if it has really helped eradicate corrupt culture.

"If it is found that it does not help eradicating corrupt culture we would suggest revoking it," he said.

He said the implementation of the remuneration system in the finance ministry, including a pay rise for its employees, has been used as a pilot project.

Based on the DPR's approval, the system would be implemented in other government offices if the system was found successful.

"Raising the employees' salaries was meant to eradicate the corruption culture," he said.

Priyo said the act of Gayus Tambunan who is an official of the office where the pilot project was carried out was very disappointing although the case could be used to emphasize the need for a clean and transparent government.

"I have asked the House and Commission leadership to check if the government's assumption made before the DPR when asking for an approval that the remuneration system is practical and able to help eradicate the corruption culture is correct. If it is not, we will propose that it be reconsidered or scrapped," he said.