IC replacement fee covers production costs

27 April 2009

The Straits Times

I REFER to the letter by Mr Jairam Amrith, 'Replacing ICs: The price is too stiff' (April 10).

The $60 fee to replace a damaged identity card is to recover the production cost, which includes manpower, material, as well as other costs incurred in producing a new card.

The fee has not been increased since the current polycarbonate identity card was introduced in 1991.

Nonetheless, we would like to assure readers that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority is prepared to consider waiving the fee for deserving cases that warrant special consideration.

These include cases where the applicant is able to substantiate his claim of financial hard-ship.

Chia Hui Keng (Ms) Head, Public & Internal Communications Branch Corporate Communications Division

Replacing ICs

10 April 2009

The Straits Times

'The price is too stiff.'

MR JAIRAM AMRITH: 'The identity card (IC) is the basic photo identity Singaporeans have to carry. Wear and tear resulting from years of use mean that, sooner or later, this piece of plastic will chip and crack. Yet a citizen must pay $60 to replace it. The price is too stiff, especially for senior citizens. A replacement fee of $20 for an IC older than 10 years that comes with a rebate of $5 for senior citizens is fairer.'