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