Free ID cards ready in five minutes

TANGERANG: It sounds too good to be true. The Sangiang Jaya subdistrict office in Periuk district, Tangerang offers free ID cards that are ready in five minutes.

Before the new system was implemented last month, many residents in the subdistrict with a population of 1,890, did not have any ID card.

Even though the process is free, many people have so far voluntarily given between Rp 3,000 and Rp 5,000 as an expression of gratitude.

Subdistrict chief Hasan Basri only allowed his staff members to take the money if they had not asked for it.

"Since the authority to produce ID cards was transferred in April by the municipal administration from district offices to subdistrict offices, we had anticipated it by preparing facilities such as a computer set and an operator," Hasan said.

In the first week of the new system, an average of 30 residents came to the office to apply for ID cards every day, including Saturday. But the number has dropped recently by half, an employee said on Saturday. --JP