JAKARTA - Commission IX of the House of Representatives highlighted the phenomenon of many Indonesian students moving to become Singaporean citizens, citing high income. The government needs to improve the employment system in Indonesia to prevent the exodus of the younger generation.
"I think the phenomenon of many of our students moving their citizenship is quite serious to pay attention to. This is a big homework, how can the Government create healthy jobs, including in terms of wages," said Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Rahmad Handoyo, Wednesday, July 12.
Based on records from the Directorate General of Immigration, Indonesian citizens (WNI) who chose to change citizenship to Singapore citizens in 2022 reached 1,091 people. Meanwhile, in 2021 there were 1,070 people.
The majority of Indonesian citizens who choose to change citizenship are in the productive age range, namely 25-35 years. For example, students who have completed their Bachelor's (S1), Master's (S2) or Doctor's (S3) education. Rahmad said, there needs to be a solution to this phenomenon.
"The state must have a breakthrough so that the younger generation can continue to be interested in careers in the country. One of them is increasing the minimum wage in Indonesia," he said.
Rahmad assessed that improvements to the Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP) system needed to be done in order to increase income for citizens. Because the trigger for thousands of students to choose to move citizens is because of higher income in Singapore.
"This is our common homework to be able to create a more attractive labor market for the younger generation so that superior human resources (HR) are not exhausted by other countries, which will have an impact on domestic economic progress," said Rahmad.
"As a developing country, the Government must be able to create jobs that can accommodate the nation's shooters. This is the first step, so that our country becomes a developed country," added the member of the council in charge of employment affairs.
Rahmad also highlighted the wage system that was deemed less attractive to productive communities to meet their needs. Including an orderly and more promising work environment in terms of career and other welfare factors.
There is a lot that must be addressed regarding domestic labor. Because many of our young human resources are interested in moving citizens so that they can work there for various reasons, especially in terms of public services," explained Rahmad.
The cost of living in Singapore is known to be quite high. However, Indonesian students who choose to move from citizens do not question it because the income there is also high, plus better service access than Indonesia.
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Access to these services ranges from the health sector, easy public transportation, to a maintained environment. For this reason, according to Rahmad, there are many things that need to be addressed in order to attract the younger generation to continue to choose to work in the country.
"Young people are now quite critical in managing the future. They think of good and bad in terms of income and well-being, which triggers them to choose to find the best wages for their future even though they have to move citizens," said the legislator from the Central Java V electoral district.
Citing Trading Economics, the minimum wage in Singapore in the first quarter of 2023 was in the range of 7,021 Singapore dollars per month or equivalent to Rp. 78.8 million (exchange rate of Rp. 11,233). This figure was recorded to have increased from 6,622 Singapore dollars per month or equivalent to Rp. 74 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. This Economics Trading information reports from the Singapore Statistics.
Meanwhile, based on a report published byceoworld.biz, the average salary earned by workers in Singapore is US$ 4,350.79 or equivalent to Rp. 64.4 million in 2022.
"The difference in income that is quite far also affects the mental and psychological of the younger generation. This must be improved by the government, so that we are not inferior to competing with other countries because our young people are interested in careers abroad," said Rahmad.
On the other hand, Rahmad also highlighted the reasons for the health sector which made many students change citizenship. He hopes that with the Health Law that has just been passed by the DPR, health services in Indonesia can be better.
"Health problems are indeed crucial, we are improving the service system so that people feel safe and comfortable choosing treatment in the country. With the newly passed Health Law, it will transform our health system," he said.
It is known that based on the records of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), there are 2 million Indonesians who choose to seek treatment abroad. Among others, about 1 million people seek treatment to Malaysia and 750 thousand people seek treatment to Singapore.
In terms of foreign exchange, this makes Indonesia lose quite a lot. From about 2 million people seeking treatment abroad, Indonesia lost Rp165 trillion foreign exchange which is very much needed for national development.
Furthermore, Rahmad also asked the scholarship alumnus of the Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP) to return to their homeland. With the experience of studying abroad, the alumnus will have a role in improving the country's economy.
"I hope, especially for the younger generation, let's work together to build this country for the better," said Rahmad.
"For alumnus who study abroad, either from the Government program or independently, let's go back to the motherland to develop Indonesia. Let's fight together for the progress of the nation and state," he concluded.
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