KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: The director of the Criminal Evidence General Department in the Interior Ministry Major General Eid Al-Awaihan has revealed that a total of 59,841 citizens did not complete the biometric fingerprint procedures by the end of the deadline on Monday.

In a televised interview, Al-Awaihan stated that the ministry would suspend all the transactions of those who failed to complete the biometric fingerprint procedures. He added that all the biometric devices were transferred from the shopping malls to the service centers affiliated with the department on Sunday night. He revealed the abovementioned citizens can do the biometric fingerprint procedures in these centers to complete their transactions in government institutions and banks, urging them to quickly complete the procedures to avoid being subjected to investigation.

He explained such an investigation is aimed at determining the reasons for not doing the biometric fingerprint procedures. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior, through the General Department of Criminal Evidence, announced that working hours at all biometric fingerprint centers and select shopping malls across various governorates will be extended until midnight today, Monday. In a statement, the General Department of Security Relations and Media explained that this extension is aimed at easing the process for citizens to complete their biometric fingerprinting, as today marks the final deadline.

The ministry urged all citizens to complete the biometric fingerprint procedure to avoid suspension of their civil ID cards and all government and banking transactions. Starting tomorrow, October 1, 2024, biometric fingerprinting services at shopping malls will cease, but criminal evidence centers will continue to offer the service daily from 8 AM to 8 PM. With the deadline for citizens to complete their biometric fingerprinting on Monday, banking sources disclosed to Al-Rai that the duration for banks to freeze the accounts of Kuwaitis who fail to comply has been shortened to 30 days. This new directive means that a “block” will be imposed on the accounts of non-compliant citizens, preventing any access to their bank balances starting November 1, rather than at the end of December as previously planned.

According to the banking plans, beginning October 1, access to all electronic channels and payment systems for customers who have not completed the biometric fingerprinting will be stopped. This includes restrictions on viewing account balances, obtaining account statements, transferring money, and making payments via financial links or services such as “Wamd.”

In essence, all electronic transactions for those who have failed to fulfill the biometric fingerprint requirement will be suspended. Furthermore, all bank cards -- including the K-Net, Visa, and Master- Card -- for non-compliant customers are expected to be deactivated by October 15. This means these cards will no longer function for both withdrawals and deposits. During this time, customers will be forced to visit their banks in person to withdraw any funds from their accounts. However, starting November 1, even in-person withdrawals will be prohibited, effectively barring customers from accessing their funds altogether

By Munif Naif
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies