From the Strait Times

Nov 7, 2006
$60 fee for IC replacement is actual cost

I REFER to the letter 'Charge a lower fee to replace old ICs' by Mr Steven Cheow Chin Seng (ST, Oct 26).

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are required by law to register for NRICs at 15 years and re-register at 30. The registration fee is $10 for citizens and $50 for PRs. The NRICs issued during registration and re-registration are subsidised.

The replacement cost for a damaged identity card is not subsidised. The $60 fee for replacing a damaged identity card is the actual production cost. The fee has not been increased since April 1, 1999. We assure Mr Seow that we are prepared to consider waiving the fee in cases that warrant special consideration. He highlighted the need to deter NRIC holders from losing their cards. This is reflected in the higher replacement fees for a lost NRIC, at $100 for the first loss and $300 for subsequent losses.

Lim Jing Jing (Ms)
Senior Public & Internal Communications Executive
for Commissioner, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

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I say,

Just a week ago, I changed my ATM with UOB. The smart chip is embedded in the card. High tech card can use it to withdraw in other countries and it cost me FREE of charge.

At SGD60.00, I can buy myself a DVD re-writer. It contains many parts, technology for playing DVD movie as well as burn movie/data into a disk. Also at SGD60.00 for the dvd re-writer, it include shipping cost, earning for the company and most important profit for the vendor.

At SGD60.00, I can buy myself almost a 2GB thumbdrive. It combines flash memory technologies and encryption technologies with the ubiquitous USB connection to create a self-contained and highly secured drive and media package the size of a thumb. At this price, both distributor and vendor can still make money.

At SGD60.00, I can buy myself a bluetooth AP + Router. No need for me to introduce the wonder it has to offer and the convenience.

At SGD60.00, I can buy myself a 80GB\7200rpm harddisk. Surely it has to cost more than a card.

AT SGD60.00 is enough to buy many packs of chicken rice and maybe even dissuade someone from jumping into the the MRT track.

How come it cost SGD60.00 just to produce our identify card?
How come the cost is high?

Best part was it says we are required by law to re-register at 30.

Kanna spot check so many times, my IC still have my 20 years ago photo how come police never ask me to change?

So many questions....I know I never get any answer.
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