Cost of passport

Cost of passport

From Kompas

The government has been trying hard to abolish the practice of getting things done through middlemen. We know that officials involved in this practice were replaced, so consumers should be happy.

But I still experienced unpleasant experiences when I wanted to extend my passport in March 1995. I had to do everything without the service of a middleman. But the official in charge demanded I pay special fees, if I wanted my new passport done more quickly than the usual time needed. But I refused to do so.

The procedures of extending a passport are as follows:

* After completing the form (which costs Rp 2,500), the form must be handed over to the official at the passport window.

* When the form has been examined, you have to go to the cashier to pay the cost of the passport and another Rp 10,000 for the passport-size photo. You will be told by the same official, at the window, when your picture can be taken.

* After you have had your photo taken, and collected these photos, the official pastes the photos on the form, then you have to proceed to another section for finger printing.

* When all these procedures have been completed, the official will tell you when you can collect your passport. Again, on the fixed day, the passport must be collected at the same window and from the same official.

Altogether I went to that office not less than five times. What about doing it through a middleman? The passport can be finished much quicker, depending on how much you pay for the service.

HARRY P

Jakarta