Ahok insinuates that the Minister of Finance is like a cashier, even though he studied abroad

FAJAR.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The former Governor of DKI Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok, has again launched a sharp criticism regarding state finances.

This time, his target was the Ministry of Finance, which he considered too dependent on collecting taxes and debt.

In his video circulating, Ahok said that the government’s fiscal policy should not only be oriented towards cashiers who simply make money when state finances are running low.

“Finance should not become like a cash register. The money sought will decrease,” said Ahok as quoted on Saturday (8/11/2025).

He mentioned that many financial officials are actually highly educated.

Even overseas graduates, but their way of thinking is considered not much different from managing an ordinary household.

“You’re a school child. All those studying abroad are like cashiers. Like my grandmother. I don’t have money like my grandfather. I can’t be like that,” he said.

“This is serious. Next year we want to withdraw 700 trillion to pay off debts. Oh my goodness,” he quipped.

Ahok also highlighted the national taxation system which was considered unfair to ordinary people.

He said, more taxes should be directed at foreign parties, not continuing to burden domestic society.

“The tax came from the Dutch colonial era. If we want to tax people, it’s not our tax, it should be taxed on foreigners,” he added.

He gave an example, people are now almost always taxed in every aspect of life.

Starting from buying a house, changing the name of assets, to when you occupy your own place.