Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A trial production of electronic identification (E-ID) cards at 10 "kelurahans" (urban village offices) in Jakarta was delayed on Monday due to lack of necessary equipment.

The event was postponed because the delay in logistics distribution by the home affairs ministry, Purba Hutapea, the Jakarta administration`s population and civil record unit Head, said here on Monday.

The new ID card program in Jakarta`s 267 kelurahans has to be delayed for several days due to the late arrival of the equipment imported from the United Sates of America.

"According to the collected data, up to yesterday, only 244 kelurahans have received E-ID card logistics. And even that some equipment are still lacking, so they are not yet functioning," Purba said.

Several equipments which have not arrived, include retinal scanners, cameras, and tripods.

Ten kelurahans have been given a priority in receiving the logistics. The kelurahans are Kemanggisan and Tomang in West Jakarta, Kebon Sirih and Menteng in Central Jakarta, Cikoko and Mampang Prapatan in South Jakarta; Cipinang Cimpedak and Klender in East Jakarta, and Rawa Badak Selatan and Semper Timur in North Jakarta.

On separate occasion, Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo urged the contractor of E-ID card logistics to supply the necessary equipments so the program could be implemented soon.

"The delay in the E-ID card operational schedule will affect the implementation in the field. The E-ID cards issuance might be late until next December," the governor said.

Edison Sianturi, the head of the North Jakarta municipality`s population and civil record unit, expressed his disappointment about the delay.

The home affairs ministry had sent notices to 202 operators of the E-ID card programs in North Jakarta that the program would be delayed until August 18 or up to the second week of December 2011.

He regretted the postponement because the operators and field personnel were actually ready to perform their tasks. (F001)

Editor: Ella Syafputri
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