Tax office admits miscalculation of risks

JAKARTA. The National Tax Office has expressed regret in miscalculating the risks in a Sibolga tax collection case that took the life of two of its officers, especially for not requesting police assistance beforehand.

The two officers, Toga Parada Fransriano Siahaan, 30, and Sozanolo Lase, 35, were in argument with Agusman Lahagu Als Ama Tety, 45, who owed tax, before the deadly incident occurred.

"We miscalculated and thought it would be safe. There was overconfidence in the field as one of the officers, Sozanolo, was a Nias native," Tax Office General Director Ken Dwijugiasteadi said on Wednesday in Jakarta. Nias is an island off the coast of Sibolga.

Usually when the tax case is severe and considered not safe, tax officers can ask police for security. A tax officer can be guarded by up to five policemen if the situation is expected to be dangerous. "There are frequent requests from tax officers for our assistance in their tasks because they usually face obstacles," Police Chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti told thejakartapost.com.

The police, he continued, would examine the case. Currently, 10 people have been called, consisting of one suspect and nine witnesses.

Agusman became furious after the officers requested him to pay an enormous tax bill of 2,5 year arrears totaling Rp 14 billion (US$ 1 million). The tax bill combined Agusman’s personal tax with his business as a collector and trader of coconuts and rubber. "When he trades with other parties, the data recorded in the tax office and it is used to validate the tax bill," tax director Mekar Satria Utama said.

Ken explained the two tax officers would be given special recognition, and their wives and children would be compensated. (Anton Hermansyah)