Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Law Edward Omar Syarif Hiariej\nbelieves the Draft Law (RUU) on Indonesian Citizenship provides\nsolutions to various problems surrounding dual-citizen children up to\nthe Indonesian diaspora abroad.<\/p>\n
In a working meeting with Commission XIII of the House of\nRepresentatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Monday (30\/3), he said Indonesia\nadheres to a single citizenship system, but limited dual citizenship can\nbe granted to children from mixed marriages between Indonesian citizens\n(WNI) and foreign citizens (WNA), as well as children born in countries\nwith the ius soli principle or citizenship based on the country of\nbirth.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrently, dual-citizen children must choose their citizenship at\nthe age of 18-21 years,\u201d said the man familiarly known as Eddy, as\nquoted from a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Through the new Citizenship Bill, the Indonesian government extends\nthe time period for dual-citizen children to choose citizenship up to\nthe age of 26 years.<\/p>\n
In addition, dual-citizen children who are late in choosing are given\nfacilities to regain Indonesian citizenship.<\/p>\n
The Deputy Minister of Law explained that the government has prepared\nregulations as a permanent solution for dual-citizen children who are\nlate in choosing Indonesian citizenship, namely changing the age limit\nfor choosing from 18-21 years to 18-26 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor dual-citizen children who are late in choosing, facilities are\nprovided to regain RI citizenship without going through naturalisation,\u201d\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Eddy said the government is also introducing a breakthrough of\ncertain dual citizenship for foreigners who have provided extraordinary\nservices to the nation and state, or to parties whose presence is deemed\nto have strategic value for national interests.<\/p>\n
The strategic fields mentioned include science and technology,\neconomy and investment, culture, sports, and other fields that\ncontribute significantly to national development and enhancing\nIndonesia\u2019s competitiveness at the global level.<\/p>\n
In the Citizenship Bill, it is emphasised that the granting of\ncertain dual citizenship can only be done through mechanisms and\nrequirements that are clearly regulated, including assessments of the\nservices provided or the relevance of national interests underlying the\ngranting of that status.<\/p>\n
He stated that the granting of certain dual citizenship is carried\nout selectively and based on national interests. Therefore, the\nverification process for citizenship applications is conducted very\ncarefully, selectively, with full responsibility, without burdening\nstate finances or budget, and based on the principle of legal certainty\nfor national interests.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe granting of certain dual citizenship is not intended to open up\nthe application of dual citizenship in general, but is specific,\nselective, and based on the state\u2019s strategic interests,\u201d said Eddy.<\/p>\n
He revealed that the Indonesian Government has received much input\nregarding the diaspora, which is then incorporated into the diaspora\nconcept in the Citizenship Bill, defined as former WNI and their\ndescendants up to the third degree.<\/p>\n
It is stated that the diaspora is given special attention as part of\nthe nation\u2019s community that has historical, cultural, and emotional ties\nwith Indonesia.<\/p>\n
According to Eddy, specific regulations regarding the diaspora are\ncontained in Article 60 of the Citizenship Bill, which affirms the\nstate\u2019s commitment to fostering relations, providing empowerment, and\nopening stronger access between the diaspora and the homeland of\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Citizenship Bill is included in the list of the 2026\nPriority National Legislation Programme (Prolegnas).<\/p>\n
The bill has undergone preparation at the inter-ministerial committee\nlevel since August 2025 until January 2026. To date, the Citizenship\nBill is still in the harmonisation discussion stage.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/deputy-justice-minister-citizenship-bill-solution-to-issues-of-children-from-mixed-marriages-1774972309", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }