Free ID card registration soon

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)