Saturday, February 5, 2011

US Backs Up Indonesia in Graft Eradication


US Backs Up Indonesia in Graft Eradication

"The Embassy cannot comment on the private affairs of an American citizen"




Gayus Tambunan (ANTARA/Yudhi Mahatma)


RELATED NEWS


  • SuperGayus Sentenced to 7 Years in Jail

  • VP Instructed to Monitor SuperGayus Case

  • List of SuperGayus' "clients" Given to Police

  • Anti-graft Commission Urged to Handle Gayus

  • Supreme Court: Tax Judges Hard to Find

VIVAnews - The United States is fully in support of the measures the Indonesian government will take in pursuit of corruption eradication in state institutions. The US government demands that US-based companies running operations overseas avoid corruption under any form possible.

"The US stands with the Indonesian Government’s efforts to eradicate official corruption.  Such corruption undercuts public confidence in government institutions and deters development of a genuine democracy," said spokesperson of US Embassy in Jakarta, Paul Belmont, today, Jan 20.

The statement is made amidst growing concern toward tax mafia issue in Indonesia which had caused a mid-ranking taxman Gayus Tambunan to receive 7 years of imprisonment on charges of corruption.
    
In addition, Indonesian Finance Minister has handed over a list of 151 taxpayers that have allegedly made ties with, or be reviewed by, Gayus. A number of US firms are also on the list.

As regards alleged involvement of US corporations in tax embezzlement case, Belmont said the matter is surrendered to the Indonesian authorities. "The U.S. Government prohibits American companies operating abroad from engaging in corruption of any kind," said Belmont.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy refused to comment on a claim expressed by the taxman that an American named John Jerome Grice, who once assisted Gayus in preparing a passport, is a CIA agent.

"The Embassy cannot comment on the private affairs of an American citizen or provide personal information about them without their consent. We refer you to the Indonesian National Police for details on this case," he said.


No comments:

Post a Comment