Govt may recognize dual citizenship

JAKARTA: Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said on Monday the government may recognize dual citizenship for a limited period.

Yusril said that under the citizenship bill, there was a clause that an Indonesian born in another country that follows the ius soli principle like the U.S. and Australia, would become the citizen of both that country and Indonesia.

But, he quickly added, the dual citizenship would expire at the age of 18. "Afterwards, the person must choose to be a citizen of Indonesia or the country where he or she was born," Yusril said.

According to him, Indonesia, which applies the ius sanguinis system, always recognizes Indonesians born in other countries as its citizens. -- JP