Services for newcomers in Bekasi

Services for newcomers in Bekasi

BEKASI, West Java (JP): The Bekasi administration will launch
a new service making the application for new ID and family cards
a simpler process for former Jakartans now residing in the Bekasi
area.

Suyitno, an official in charge of residential papers, said
yesterday that the newcomers could collectively apply for their
new ID and family cards through the head of the community.

Newcomers are usually required to bring old documents with
them to the sub-district and district offices before getting new
documents.

The Bekasi administration has now promised to slash red tape
by making it possible for newcomers to apply collectively with
the help of their community leader.

Suyitno said the government hopes the new process will
encourage newcomers to register.

Adi Kustiawan, another official of the office, said the
government will start the one-month offer on Nov. 1, adding that
all of the nine districts in Bekasi will be informed of the offer
to make sure that all residents will know how to apply.

Suyitno said that as of June 1994 he recorded 8,200 former
Jakartans, now residents of Bekasi, with no local documents.

"They don't even change their license plate numbers," he said,
referring to the difference between administrations in West Java
and Jakarta.

Although Bekasi has been transformed into a sub-urban area of
Jakarta, it is under the authority of West Java's administration,
whose capital is Bandung.

Suyitno said those 8,200 people will help increase local
revenues, due to the taxes they have to pay if they want to
register under the new administration.

He stressed that the Bekasi administration hopes the new
method will encourage the newcomers, usually living in new
housing areas, to get their local documents. (12/09)