Wisely Addressing the issue of E-KTP for Foreigners

By: Asep Maulana) *
Netizens continued to be excited by information circulating regarding the presence of foreign workers from China who have identity cards similar to electronic KTPs or e-KTPs. The related Manpower Office spoke up about this.
In photos spread on social networks, the identity of the e-KTP is indeed almost identical to the e-KTP of the Indonesian population, which mostly have a Population Identification Number (NIK). What distinguishes it is the citizenship column and the validity period that are not for life.
In the address column, it is known that the TKA with the initials GC lives in the Muka Village, Cianjur District. The identity of the e-KTP itself was issued by the Cianjur Regency Government.
Asked for confirmation via telephone, the Office Secretary (Sekdis) of Manpower and Transmigration (Disnakertrans) confirmed the photos circulating on social media was the identity of the e-KTP issued to TKA.
 “Some time ago, the head of the office made inspection to a number of companies in accordance with their duties. Accompanied by the Head of the Police Headquarters and PPNS officers, the inspection was carried out in Cibokor Village, Cibeber District, “said Heri Suparjo, Secretary of the Manpower and Transmigration Office.
Heri explained that at that time there was only one foreign worker who showed the identity of the e-KTP. According to him, his side only saw in terms of employment.
Cianjur Regent Herman Suherman confirmed the information. According to him, ownership of e-KTP for TKA has been included in the law on population administration.
Ownership of e-KTP for TKA is certainly not arbitrarily obtained and has a permanent residence certificate. The law that Herman refers to is in Law No. 24/2013 concerning Population Administration, article 63.
 “There are rules and laws, but the difference is the citizenship column. I also have not received complete information from the head of the village, it is also temporary, “said Herman.
The Director General of Civil Engineering of the Ministry of Home Affairs Zudan Arif Fakrulloh spoke about the polemic of e-KTPs owned by foreign citizens. He provides quick tips on how to distinguish two types of electronic ID cards.
Zudan said the appearance of e-KTP for Indonesian citizens and foreigners was more or less the same. The difference is in the details of the identity data.
A foreign national can indeed have an e-KTP but with strict conditions. This is stipulated in Law Number 24 of 2013 concerning Population Administration.
Article 63
(1) Indonesian Citizens and Foreigners who have a permanent Residence Permit who are 17 (seventeen) years old or have married or have been married must have an KTP-el
(2) (deleted)
(3) Electronic KTP as referred to in paragraph 1 applies nationally.
(4) Foreigners as referred to in paragraph 1 must report the extension of the validity period or replace the KTP-el to the Implementing agency no later than 30 days before the date of validity of the Stay permit.
(5) Residents who already have a KTP – el must carry it while traveling.
(6) Residents as referred to in paragraph 1 only have one KTP – el.
On another occasion, the Ministry of Home Affairs (Ministry of Home Affairs) confirmed that foreign nationals (foreigners) could not participate in voting in the 2019 election even though they had e-KTPs.
“Foreigners cannot vote,” said the Director General of Population and Civil Registration (Dukcapil) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The assertion that the foreigner with e-KTP could not vote in the 2019 General Election appeared related to the wrong input case of the Chinese TKA Population (NIK) number in the Indonesian e-KTP named Bahar. Whereas one of the conditions for being able to participate in the election is Indonesian citizenship.
Zudan also added that e-KTP for foreigners was restricted by their rights, among others, unable to vote and be elected in elections.
So of course it is not justified if the issue of a structured electronic KTP policy is designed to make it easier for foreigners or foreigners from China to enter and infiltrate Indonesia.
Due to the tumultuous reporting, the public certainly does not need to speculate too far, because the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to postpone the printing of e-KTP for foreign nationals. The delay was intended to prevent the occurrence of commotion ahead of the April 17 elections.

It also has given direction to the regions so that the area is careful, it would be good if the foreign e-KTP is printed after the 2019 Election. This is certainly in order to prevent any commotion.
Many people need further socialization, that the printing of WNA electronic ID cards is in accordance with the law. But the conditions on the ground are indeed heating up ahead of the fight in the 2019 election political contest. In order for everything to be conducive, the printing of ID cards for foreigners is postponed for the next 50 days or on April 18.
This socialization will indeed compete with the hoax news about foreigners registered with the DPT. But all kinds of news lies are indeed fitting to be filtered so that it does not make the situation before the election get worse.
Jokowi – Ma’ruf’s national campaign team (TKN) asked the public not to panic regarding foreign citizens who have electronic ID cards, which is important for the public to be able to get their voting rights for April 17.
He said he hoped the public would not have to fret because of information like this. Moreover, this case only happened on one ID card, we could reflect on the issue of the 7 container ball hoaxes that had been viral, but in fact this could be resolved.

) * The author is a social media activist