Public complain over ID cards' cost

Public complain over ID cards' cost

The city administration has announced that residents will not be
charged when applying for ID cards. But the reality of the
situation is quite different. A number of people told The Jakarta
Post they were forced to pay for their ID cards. Despite the
administration's assurances to the contrary, most paid the money
to accelerate the bureaucratic process.

Tiara Wenas, a 30-year-old kindergarten teacher. Born in
Manado, North Sulawesi, she has lived in the capital for five
years.

I applied for my ID card in Petojo, Central Jakarta, when I
first came here five years ago. A staffer at the community unit
offered me his services and I agreed. It cost me Rp 150,000.

I think the price was too high. I had heard that an ID card
cost only several thousand rupiah, but the staffer said (the Rp
150,000) would speed up the process. He finished my ID card in
one week.

Having an ID card is important here as the administration and
the police occasionally conduct raids just about anywhere, from
housing complexes to discos. You will be detained if you don't
have (an ID card).

It's too bad that the administration can't control the
situation, so they raid the poor like they were hunting for rats.
It's not humane, of course. But don't we all know that most of
the administration's policies toward the poor are not humane?

Syamsuddin, 30, a Jakarta-born garbageman who lives on Jl.
Kenari in Central Jakarta.

It's not a surprise to see people complaining about the
difficulty of getting a new ID card or renewing their old one.
The main problem is the red tape. Corrupt officials also make the
process too costly.

Last time I had to pay officials Rp 150,000 (US$17), which
they called a 'fine' for the late renewal of my expired ID.

It was a lot more than the official charge listed on the
announcement board in the subdistrict office, which also says
that ID cards will be issued for free. If someone is late in
renewing an ID, officially they should only be charged Rp 10,000.

Abdul Rodjak, 60, the director of the privately run Husni
Thamrin Hospital and a gubernatorial candidate:

I will give free ID cards to the poor who have lived here for
years if I am elected governor. I promise to make the procedure
easier for them to get the ID cards.

Of course, the ease in getting ID cards should not cause
others to migrate to Jakarta, because then we will face problems
related to urbanization.

I think it must be discussed with the government. What is the
government's responsibility in helping the poor, and what is the
administration's responsibility.

Andi Rahmah, 36, has lived in Jakarta for two years. She lives
on Jl. Raya Pasar Minggu in South Jakarta, but has an ID card
from Bogor.

If obtaining an ID is as easy as they promise, I want to
change my Bogor ID card with one from Jakarta. The problem is
that although I have completed all the documents necessary for
obtaining an ID card, civil servants in the subdistrict office
are still reluctant to issue it to me without first receiving
money.

I wouldn't mind paying if the money went into the city
coffers. I just don't want to bribe some officers.

Paidin, 24, moved to Tangerang from Yogyakarta three years
ago. He works at a social foundation.

I didn't know that having an ID card in Jakarta was so
important. In Yogyakarta, an ID card is only necessary on certain
occasions, like when applying for a job.

When I applied for a Jakarta ID card in East Jakarta, I had to
pay Rp 150,000. It was very expensive. The only reason I applied
for the ID card was that I didn't want to get caught in a raid.
-- JP