Public displeasure over case against tax official's son valid

Jakarta (ANTARA) - It is only right for people to be disappointed over the alleged assault perpetrated by the son of a Finance Ministry official who also flaunted his wealth on social media, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said.

"If it went like that, well, I think it is only right for people to be disappointed because the service was considered poor. And the apparatus: they show arrogant behavior, flaunting wealth, hedonistic," the head of state said while opening a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace here on Thursday.

Widodo further said that he is aware of the public disappointment over the case against Mario Dandy, the son of an official at the Directorate General of Tax of the Finance Ministry, as well as against an official at the ministry's Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Eko Darmanto, both of whom were known to flex their wealth on social media.

He informed that he was aware of the public sentiment regarding the two cases because he followed and monitored the comments made by the public, both in person and in cyberspace, in relation to them. The essence of the bureaucracy reform program pursued by the government throughout the years has been ensuring that the people get the best, accountable, and effective services, the President added.

Widodo said that he did not want to see government officials provide poor services, or even exhibit arrogance toward people by showing off their position, title, and wealth. "And be careful, it is not only limited to (officials of) tax and customs, excise. There's also police department and other apparatuses. (It applies to) other types of bureaucracy, too," he added.

An official at the Directorate General of Tax at the Finance Ministry, Rafael Alun Trisambodo, attracted public attention following reports of a brutal assault perpetrated by his son, Mario Dandy, against David, 17, in North Jakarta. The violent encounter was recorded and it spread on social media.

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The case put Mario Dandy's habit of flaunting his wealth on social media platforms into the spotlight. He was known to post about his expensive vehicles. Trisambodo’s total assets of Rp56 billion (US$3.7 million) also attracted public scrutiny since many people felt his wealth was disproportionate to his position as an echelon III official. Currently, the Finance Ministry and the Corruption Eradication Commission are investigating Trisambodo's assets.