Electronic ID Cards Used To Track Drug Addicts: Minister

Jakarta, Feb 20 (Antara) - The electronic identity cards with Indonesian residents can be used to track drug addicts, terrorists and those with illegal funds as an effort to ease burden on authorities, stated a minister. "The electronic identity cards have had many benefits following the cooperation between a number of institutions with the Home Affairs Ministry; such cooperation will be further developed," Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi stated here on Thursday. The minister made this remark after signing the cooperation with several institutions such as the National Drugs Agency (BNN), PT Taspen (Persero), financial service authority (OJK), the Center of Financial Transactions and Analysis Reporting (PPATK), Judicial Commission and the State Employment Agency, at the vice presidential office. According to him, there are 29 government institutions including ministries cooperating with the Home Ministry to make use of the electronic identity cards to catch terrorists and track those suspected to have received illegal funds. "The electronic identity cards can be used to track the flow of funds such as to couples, children or relatives," Gamawan remarked. Meanwhile, the National Drugs Agency (BNN) Chief Anang Iskandar added that the electronic identity cards can be put to use optimally to accelerate the prevention and eradication of drug abuse and Illicit drugs program. "That`s why we have cooperated with the Home Ministry in making use of the electronic identity cards," Anang stated. Regarding the money laundering case, the use of the electronic identity cards will also help the officers to check the money launderers` accounts, Anang pointed out.