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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Indonesia's Law Minister Clarifies Dual Citizenship for Diaspora

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Indonesia's Minister of Law and Human Rights, Supratman Andi Agtas, clarified that proposed dual citizenship regulations are not exclusively for foreigners.
  • The President emphasized prioritizing diaspora members who meet the criteria for limited dual citizenship, particularly in science, technology, and medicine.
  • The government will implement these regulations selectively, potentially through institutional requests, and is still gathering input for the Citizenship Law revision.

Indonesia's Minister of Law and Human Rights, Supratman Andi Agtas, addressed concerns regarding proposed limited dual citizenship, clarifying that it is not solely for foreign talent but also for Indonesian diaspora members.

The President in his state address yesterday never mentioned that the proposal was only for foreigners.

— Supratman Andi AgtasMinister of Law and Human Rights clarifying the scope of proposed dual citizenship regulations.

During a program addressing public grievances, Agtas stated that the President's remarks on dual citizenship did not exclude diaspora members. He affirmed that if diaspora individuals meet the qualifications, they would be prioritized for this limited dual citizenship.

Frank Simarmata, a representative from the Indonesian Diaspora Institute, had previously voiced concerns about the plan potentially benefiting only foreigners and the lack of detailed regulations. Agtas reiterated Indonesia's primary principle of single citizenship but acknowledged the existing limited dual citizenship for children of mixed marriages. The new proposal, driven by the President, aims to grant dual citizenship to specific talents contributing to national interests, especially in STEM fields and social sciences.

If there are diaspora members who meet the criteria for limited dual citizenship, they will be prioritized.

— Supratman Andi AgtasMinister of Law and Human Rights emphasizing the priority for diaspora members under the proposed dual citizenship policy.

Agtas stressed that the policy would be highly selective, possibly requiring applications from relevant institutions rather than individuals. He urged patience as the proposal is still under consideration and subject to input, including from the diaspora, for inclusion in the upcoming Citizenship Law revision.

We are still gathering various inputs, such as from the diaspora, so that it can be included in the Citizenship Law revision.

— Supratman Andi AgtasMinister of Law and Human Rights on the ongoing process of revising the Citizenship Law to incorporate feedback.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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