13,092 Indonesian Children Hold Dual Citizenships

TheIndonesia.co - As many as 13,092 children born from mixed marriages between Indonesian and foreign nationals currently hold dual citizenship, according to the Law and Human Rights Ministry.

"They are registered as dual-citizen children according to Article 41 of the Citizenship Law," Director General of Legal and General Administration at the Law and Human Rights Ministry Cahyo Rahadian Muzhar informed in a written statement received here on Monday, June 27, 2022.

Of those children, 3,793 were either late in applying to the ministry or had not chosen a nationality, he said. "Meanwhile, there were 507 children who were not registered in accordance with Article 41 as children with dual citizenship," Muzhar said.

He then pointed to Government Regulation Number 21 of 2022 which lays down procedures for obtaining, losing, canceling, and regaining Indonesian citizenship, which could help address the citizenship issues faced by children. This would allow them to obtain Indonesian citizenship within two years of the issuance of Government Regulation No. 21 of 2022, or by May 31, 2024.

Muzhar said that the improvement of the law through the issuance of Regulation No. 21 of 2022 was in accordance with efforts to improve the state's condition and attract various parties to come to Indonesia and make a positive contribution to national development.

The regulation is expected to attract the Indonesian diaspora, including children of Indonesian citizens, who are skilled, have a great love for the country, and want to contribute to Indonesia.

The policies regulated in Regulation No. 21 are also in line with the grand design of other policies seeking to improve the national economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They include facilitating immigration services, visa policies, and simplifying residence permits, which cover a broader scope and diverse range of activities.

This is expected to encourage investors, including those from the Indonesian diaspora, to invest, own property according to regulations, and spend their old days in Indonesia.