To Boost Revenues, Purbaya Ready to Reshuffle Tax Employees
JAKARTA, DDTCNews - Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, has affirmed that he will not hesitate to dismiss employees of the Directorate General of Taxes (DGT) suspected of committing violations or misconduct.
Purbaya said the measure forms part of efforts to strengthen human resources within the DGT. In his view, firm action against internal employees is also necessary to optimise tax revenue collection.
"In certain cases, for instance, if I suspect something, those [tax employees] are still playing games — I will rank the top 5 people considered to be misbehaving, and perhaps reassign 3 of them," he said, as quoted on Friday (4/9/2026).
According to Purbaya, the removal of employees from their positions is intended to serve as an example to other employees. He wants all tax employees to understand that the government is serious about taking action against those deemed to be impeding tax collection performance.
He will also strengthen internal supervision to ensure that DGT officials do not deviate from the applicable rules and code of conduct.
"This sends a message to tax employees that we are serious about improving the quality of tax collection. This measure has a very clear impact on our tax collection," he said.
In addition to dismissals, Purbaya affirmed that tax employees indicated to have committed violations or abused their authority may be transferred to tax offices in regions with lower revenue potential.
Conversely, regions with greater tax revenue potential will be handled by employees and officials deemed more competent and professional. In his view, this measure can drive an increase in tax revenue at the national level.
"I examine which officials have frequently engaged in negative conduct and I reorganise them. Almost all tax officials at echelon 2, echelon 3 and echelon 4. I reshuffle them; I transfer those who are underperforming to the regions, and place the well-performing ones at the head office or at major tax collection centres, the large tax offices," he concluded. (dik)