APPLAUSE from top government officials of the tax directorate-general and heads of government tax offices greeted Sri Mulyani Indrawati when she entered the State Palace on Thursday last week. That day, the former finance minister under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and now taking over her old job from Bambang Brodjonegoro, was indeed the star. Sri Mulyani beamed, she was coming home.

Those in attendance had been invited to hear President J