Free naturalization for Chinese

Free naturalization for Chinese

SEMARANG, Central Java: The authorities are offering a free naturalization service for some 12,000 "stateless" people of Chinese descent here.

Antara quoted Kristanto, an officer in charge of the application for naturalization, as saying that a "one-stop service" has been set up in every regent office. The service is conducted in line with a recently-issued Presidential Decree on naturalization.

Kristanto also said that 5,000 Chinese in the province have applied for naturalization. He expected the rest of the stateless people to apply soon.

"There's no coercion used in the process here," Kristanto said.

People of Chinese descent used to have to pay between Rp 350,000 (approximately US$ 153) and Rp 1 million for the naturalization procedure. (swe)