Ministry of Law NTT Facilitates Dual Citizens' Transition to Indonesian Nationality

The Regional Office of the Ministry of Law in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has facilitated the citizenship selection process for two dual-national children, previously holding Norwegian citizenship, to officially become Indonesian citizens (WNI) in accordance with statutory regulations.

The Head of the NTT Ministry of Law Regional Office, Silvester Sili Laba, stated in Kupang on Friday that this process serves to provide legal certainty and protection for the constitutional rights of dual-national children, as regulated under Law Number 12 of 2006 concerning the Citizenship of the Republic of Indonesia.

“The change in citizenship status is not merely an administrative change, but a life choice to become part of Indonesia. Loyalty to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) does not end with the taking of an oath, but must be realised through attitude, compliance with the law, and tangible contributions to the nation and state,” he said.

Silvester noted that the two applicants, Daniel Pramudya Rolandsen (21) and Erling Magnus Rolandsen (23), have officially become Indonesian citizens after taking their oaths and promises of allegiance according to applicable provisions.

According to him, this mechanism is an implementation of Law Number 12 of 2006, which provides opportunities for dual-national children resulting from mixed marriages to choose their citizenship upon reaching a specified age. He explained that both applicants utilised the mechanism stipulated in Government Regulation Number 21 of 2022, which allows dual-national children who have not yet chosen their citizenship to submit applications to the President through the Minister.

In addition to providing legal certainty, this mechanism offers ease through a Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) tariff of Rp5 million, which is lower than the costs associated with the general naturalisation process. Silvester added that after officially becoming Indonesian citizens, both applicants are required to complete all administrative tasks, including submitting their Norwegian citizenship documents to the relevant authorities no later than 14 days after taking the oath. He expressed hope that the new Indonesian citizens would use their status as a momentum to practice Pancasila values, obey the law, and contribute to the nation and state.