"Yes, I see the indications. There are elements there (political interests), although the e-KTPs have expired," Kumolo remarked after attending the National Election Supervisory Body`s National Coordination Meeting in Ancol, Jakarta, on Monday.
Although Kumolo harbors doubts over the political motives, he still awaits results of the police investigation.
He stressed that from several recent events related to e-KTPs, ranging from blank sales to outdated e-KTPs, only blank sales were a matter of principle.
However, he noted that the events had not disrupted the system.
"The system is certainly safe," he explained.
He noted that since it did not interfere with the system, it was likely that the events of the scattering of e-KTPs were aimed at only creating a stir in the political year.
In terms of provisions, the home minister believes every damaged or expired e-KTP must be cut out.
"It should be cut out. It has not been cut off but scattered. The interesting aspect is how come they have been `scattered` in the fields," he pointed out.
Kumolo suspects that the perpetrators behind the scattered e-KTPs were insiders, since he believes it was impossible for thieves to be able to obtain a large number of e-KTPs.
The Ministry of Home Affairs will impose strict sanctions on officials found to have been negligent or have intentionally discarded the e-ID cards.
"The sanctions are explicitly clear when we caught someone, we lowered the rank yesterday. If it happens again, we will fire those responsible. This is since it is the e-KTP data, although it does not affect the system, but it can create a situation of uncertainty and doubts," he explained.
Earlier, a sack containing e-ID cards was found by children playing football in the rice fields on Jl Bojong Rangkong, Pondok Kopi, Duren Sawit. This finding was reported by officers of the local Neighborhood Head office to the police at around 1:30 p.m. local time.
When examined by the local residents, the e-KTPs were found to not be fragmented and containing personal data of residents. However, some e-KTPs were found to be damaged and illegible.
Reporting by Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga
Editing by Eliswan, Rahmad Nasution
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
