TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The head of Information Center at the Home Affairs Ministry Bahtiar said that Minister Tjahjo Kumolo had instructed the Population and Civil Registry (Dukcapil) in all regions in Indonesia to destroy the damaged or invalid electronic identity card or e-KTP within one week.

Bahtiar explained that the mechanism for destroying the damaged e-KTP refers to the Circular Letter of the Home Affairs Ministry No. 470.13/ 11176/SJ on the Administration of Damaged or Invalid e-KTP.

“We invite the press and other relevant institutions in the area to witness the destruction process on the site,” Bahtiar said in a written statement on Tuesday, December 17.

According to Bahtiar, this step is to show the commitment of his party to maintain, prevent, and guarantee the non-occurrence of misuse of e-KTP that are damaged against actions that are contrary to the law including those related to the 2019 general election.

“We affirm that anyone who tries to cheat in the election will certainly be prosecuted by Bawaslu and its staff, assisted by law enforcement officials,” he said.

Minister Tjhajo requested that the director general of Dukcapil in all regions carry out the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to properly destroy the damaged e-KTP.

“The Home Affairs Ministry together with the regional heads will not hesitate to give strict sanctions including the option of removing Dukcapil officials and legally processing them completely, from the central Dukcapil officials to the regions and other officials if they are proven violating the SOP of e-KTP destruction,” Bahtiar said.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI