Government proposes limited dual citizenship for strategic talent

The government has proposed the concept of limited dual citizenship in the revision of the Citizenship Law as an effort to accommodate the country’s need for Indonesian diaspora talent with strategic expertise. Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas stated that the proposal has been submitted to the President for the subsequent issuance of a Presidential Letter as the basis for deliberation with the House of Representatives. “The bill has been sent to the President. The President will then issue a Presidential Letter to be sent to the DPR,” Supratman said in Jakarta on Thursday. He explained that the dual citizenship concept does not apply generally but is limited to individuals whose skills are needed by the state. “If the DPR agrees, the government will propose what is called Limited Dual Citizenship,” he said. He noted that its implementation is intended for experts in specific fields, such as nuclear science, chemistry, medicine, and even athletes required for national interest. “If the state needs them, for example a nuclear expert, or someone to join our national team in all sports, or a chemist who is greatly needed by the republic,” he said. Supratman stressed that the granting of such status can only be proposed by a ministry or government agency according to the state’s needs. “It cannot be just anyone, because the proposing party must be a ministry or institution. In other words, the state must propose it,” he said. He added that the proposal also considers public aspirations for Indonesia to retain diaspora talent without losing their contribution to the national interest. “Many of our diaspora who have expertise in nuclear science, chemistry, or medicine are reluctant to relinquish their citizenship. Now we are trying to accommodate that,” he said. However, Supratman noted that the realisation of the proposal still depends on deliberation and approval by the DPR.