Poor targeted in massive registration crackdown

Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

People living in Jakarta will be jailed for up to three months without trial and fined during a massive city administration crackdown on illegal residents starting June 12.

The poorest 64 subdistricts will be targeted.

The City Public Order and police operation, on top of the red alert security status in the city due to the war in Aceh, also aims to establish a population database, including the taking of fingerprints.

"Collecting fingerprints is stipulated in a 1996 bylaw and also is part of a police program to have a database on Jakarta residents," Population and Civil Registration Agency head Silviana Murni told reporters on Wednesday.

She was speaking after briefing her subordinates to inform the public to get their documents arranged before June 12 and not to leave home without identity cards or other residential documents.

Those who could not produce Jakarta identity cards, neighborhood community registration documents and registration documents from their hometowns would heavy penalties.

Bylaws stipulate punishment of three months in jail and a Rp 5 million (US$602) fine for undocumented residents. Residents must carry the documentation at all times. Receipt of a lodged application was sufficient.

Silviana said the operation was not related to fears of terrorist attacks by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), but could not say why the operation had not been undertaken previously.

"In the future, the city administration would make a database on Jakartans' fingerprints ... the fingerprints would be taken, perhaps, during the making or renewal of their identity cards."

Following the imposition of martial law in war-torn Aceh, the city administration and the police have warned Jakartans of possible terrorist attacks. Sutiyoso has ordered police, in cooperation with the military, to hunt down alleged GAM members here.

Silviana said the target of the operation was the area where there were many seasonal residents and migrants, including home industry zones, factories, houses rented to non-residents and apartments in 64 of the city's 267 subdistricts.

The Population and Civil Registration Agency recorded that as of March, the number of migrants who had applied for Jakarta residency permits had reached 4,862 people.

Most of the applicants were from West Java (1,518), from Central Java and Yogyakarta (934), Banten (498), East Java (355), North Sumatra (326), West Sumatra (215), and Aceh (46).

I-BOX

Operation target zones ------------------------------------------------- Central Jakarta: Duri Pulo, Petojo Utara, Pasar Baru, Gunung Sahari Utara, Sumur Batu, Harapan Mulia, Paseban, Kramat, Rawasari, Cempaka PutihBarat, Galur, Kampung Rawa, Cikini, Pegangsaan, Kebon Kacang, Kampung Bali. East Jakarta: Tengah, Duren Sawit, Pal Meriam, Cipinang Besar Utara, Kayu Putih, Cakung Barat, Cibubur, Cijantung, Lubang Buaya, and Kebon Pala. North Jakarta: Kapuk Muara, Pejagalan, Pademangan Barat, Semper Barat, Papanggo, Sunter Jaya, Kelapa Gading Barat, Kelapa Gading Timur, Rawa Badak Utara and Lagoa. West Jakarta: Tegal Alur, Mangga Besar, Duri Selatan, Jembatan Besi, Palmerah, Tanjung Duren Utara, Rawa Buaya, Sukabumi Utara and Meruya Utara. South Jakarta: Mampang Prapatan, Tegal Parang, Kebon Baru, Menteng Atas, Rawa Jati, Duren Tiga, Cipete Selatan, Gandaria Selatan, Pejaten Timur, Tanjung Barat, Cipedak, Cipulir, Pondok Pinang, Cipete Utara, Bintaro, Petukangan Selatan. -------------------------------------------------------- Source: Population and Civil Registration Agency