Jokowi Asks Minister Yasonna Laoly to Study Diaspora Citizenship Status

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo ordered Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly to conduct a study on citizenship status, including that of the diaspora. He revealed the order today, March 7, after a limited meeting with the President.  

“We are conducting a study [on our citizenship status],” Yasonna said. “[It will be] for the diaspora first.”

He stopped short of elaborating on the details of the meeting. Questions about the objectives of this citizenship policy – such as exiles or naturalization, were not answered by the PDIP politician. “We will make another study later,” he briefly said.

It was not yet known which other ministers taking part in today’s meeting. Only Finance Minister Sri Mulyani was seen leaving the meeting room through the journalists’ door. She was also tight-lipped when asked about the policy. “Pak Yasonna is the one in charge,” she said.

The current legal system of Indonesian citizenship does not recognize the diaspora. Under current law, anyone who has lost their citizenship is considered a foreigner.

Citizenship issues are contained in laws that have been amended several times, from Law No. 62 of 1958 to the most recent Law No. 12 of 2006 concerning Citizenship. The law confirms that an individual cannot have dual citizenship or be stateless.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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