TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House’s Government Commission chairman Rambe Kamarulzaman said the sluggish process of data recording in the electronic ID card (e-KTP) program is caused by the government’s lack of responsiveness.

According to Rambe, the population and civil record office (Disdukcapil) personnel had only waited for residents to come to their office for data recording.

“The government’s effort to reach out the grassroot is very weak. Yes. It is difficult to go villages and remote areas, but the government must be proactive,” Rambe told Tempo Tuesday.

The Parliament, according to Rambe, has urged the Interior Ministry to conclude data recording of e-KTP, particularly in regions who are about to hold simultaneous regional elections in 2017.

The electronic ID card, which boasts integrated population data, is expected to prevent numerous, classic elections issues, such as double voting. As such, the parliament is adamant to use electronic ID cards as the basis to set the final voters list (DPT) even though Law No. 10/2016 on Governor, Regent and Mayor Election stipulates that the policy should only be implemented in January 2019.

“We [the parliament] are pushing them [Interior Ministry] to move faster,” Rambe said.

FRANSISCO ROSARIANS