Free ID card registration soon

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso dismissed on Wednesday remarks that he had failed to keep his promise that Jakartans would not have to pay for identity card registrations before the end of the month.

"We (city administration) have to secure the green light from the City Council before we can implement free ID card registrations.

"The free ID card registration is being discussed by the City Council. Hopefully, a decision will be taken on Nov. 23," he told reporters during his visit to Tambora district administration office in West Jakarta.

Sutiyoso made his promise during his accountability speech before the City Council last June that the free ID card registration would begin on Nov. 10. The promise came after some party faction members pressed him to decide on the free service for identity card registration for the city's 11 million residents.

However, the administration failed to meet the deadline as the City Council has yet to review the City Bylaw No. 1/1996 on population and City Bylaw No. 3/1999 on levies. Both bylaws regulate that the ID card registration costs Rp 1,000.

The official fee for ID card registration is Rp 1,000 but in reality, residents have to pay between Rp 4,000 (43 U.S. cents) and Rp 5,000 (54 U.S. cents) per card. Meanwhile, applicants from outside Jakarta may even have to pay between Rp 100,000 and Rp 200,000 for the service.

The council should have revised the bylaws on Nov. 10 but it has yet to complete the deliberation until now. It is scheduled to complete the deliberation on the revision of the bylaws on Nov. 23.

Sutiyoso had earlier promised that he would guarantee that there would be no fees taken from the applicants once the proposal is endorsed by the City Council.

"I have ordered my deputies to oversee the registration process. Journalists and other people are urged to also oversee the process in the future," he said.

The retired three-star general said he would take stern measures against any administration official found demanding a fee for ID card registration.

"However, we cannot supervise now since the decision has yet to be taken.

"I assure you that I will 'smack' them if they take advantage of the ID card registration once the policy comes into effect." he said. (asa)