SBKRI is not mandatory

SBKRI is not mandatory

From Kompas

Director of governmental affairs of the justice and human rights ministry Hutabarat has said that it is not mandatory for an Indonesian citizen to possess a certificate of proof as a citizen of the Republic of Indonesia (SBKRI), but that since it is required by some government agencies, the justice and human rights ministry is obliged to issue it.

As Presidential Decree No. 6/1996 has abolished this certificate, Hutabarat should have made sure that all government agencies are informed about this particular presidential decree.

Hutabarat has also said that as long as a person possesses an Indonesian birth certificate, he or she will be an Indonesian citizen although he or she does not possess a resident identity card or SBKRI.

In practice, unfortunately, some government agencies, such as the directorate general of immigration of the justice and human rights ministry, require that an Indonesian citizen of Chinese origin possesses the SBKRI when applying for a passport, for example. We, Indonesian citizens of Chinese origin do not need the SBKRI, but we are forced to acquire one.

It would be interesting to know whether the children of Hutabarat himself have to produce a SBKRI when applying for a passport.

ANDY MENAS Jakarta