House Approves Jordi Amat, Sandy Walsh Become Indonesian Citizen

TheIndonesia.id - The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) through Commission III approved the granting of Indonesian citizenship to two footballers, Jordi Amat and Sandy Walsh, who came from Spain and the Netherlands respectively. The members of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives accepted the reason for changing the citizenship of Amat and Walsh to Indonesian citizens to improve the Indonesian national football team.

"It means that they agree (Amat and Walsh become Indonesian citizens)," said Chairman of Commission III of the DPR RI, Bambang Wuryanto, in the Commission III Meeting Room of the DPR RI, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Monday, August 29, 2022, knocking on the hammer after all members of Commission III stated their agreement.

The statement was made by Bambang at the end of the Working Meeting with the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora), Minister of Law and Human Rights, and Indonesia Football Association (PSSI).

Member of Commission III from the Democratic Party Faction, Hinca Panjaitan, considered that Amat and Walsh could also lift the spirit of the community to provide support to the Indonesian national team. "Of course, there are pros and cons about it. However, Indonesia is part of world football. That is, every player is free to play anywhere as long as they comply with FIFA and PSSI statutes," said Panjaitan.

Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej emphasized that the citizenship process of Jordi Amat and Sandy Walsh had complied with the regulations in force in Indonesia. They, said the man who is familiarly called Eddy Hiariej, became Indonesian citizens following Article 20 of Law Number 12 of 2006. The article reads, "Foreigners who have rendered services to the Republic of Indonesia or for reasons of state interest may be granted Indonesian Citizenship by The President after obtaining consideration from the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia unless the granting of citizenship results in the person concerned having dual citizenship.

"They are given Indonesian citizenship because of their achievements. This means that the ability to speak Indonesian and memorize Pancasila can go on over time," said Hiariej.

Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali and PSSI General Chair Mochamad Iriawan also welcomed the decision of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives regarding Jordi Amat and Sandy Walsh. "This decision shows Commission III's support for Indonesian football," said the Amali.

Amat and Walsh also attended the meeting virtually. The two of them even mentioned the five precepts of Pancasila eloquently. After obtaining approval from the DPR RI, the citizenship process of Jordi Amat and Sandy Walsh will be forwarded to the Ministry of State Secretariat to be submitted to President Joko Widodo. The President will later issue a Presidential Decree for the citizenship of the two names.

Amat and Walsh are expected to become Indonesian citizens as soon as possible in order to strengthen the Indonesian national team in the FIFA friendly match against Curacao on 24 and 27 September 2022.