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December 19, 2024 | 09:15 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Risyad Azhari, representing a group protesting the 12% Value Added Tax (VAT) increase, confirmed that their online petition titled "Tolak 12% VAT" has been submitted to the Ministry of State Secretariat (Kemensetneg). As of Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Jakarta time, the petition hosted on change.org had garnered over 113,000 signatures out of a targeted 150,000.
"We have submitted the petition, and Kemensetneg has received it," Risyad said during a protest held in front of the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on the same day.
By the time the petition was submitted, the number of signatures had grown to over 127,000. The main reason behind the petition, according to Risyad, is the belief that the 12% VAT increase will place a significant burden on the public.
"This policy was designed in 2021 and is no longer relevant to the current economic situation of our citizens and their savings," Risyad argued.
He further criticized the government's attempt to downplay the impact by stating the 12% VAT would only apply to luxury goods. "Don't try to mislead the public. Cancel the 12% VAT altogether."
Following the submission of the petition, Risyad expressed his intention to await the government's response and pledged to continue advocating against the VAT increase.
Earlier on Thursday, a diverse group of protesters, including students, anime enthusiasts known as Wibu, and K-pop fans or K-popers, gathered across from the State Palace.
The crowd, which started assembling at the Monas gate by 2:20 p.m., displayed banners with messages such as "VAT Increases by 12 Percent Because Pak Prabowo is Traumatized by 11/100" and "The State Needs Money Fast? Asset Confiscation is the Solution. #TolakVAT12%."
The initial plan was for the protesters to march from the gathering point to the Ministry of State Secretariat on Jalan Veteran to submit the petition in person. However, police intervened and restricted the demonstration to petition submission by representatives only.
The Indonesian government recently announced the official increase of the VAT rate from 11% to 12%, effective January 1, 2025. This policy, however, will focus on products categorized as luxury goods.
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