10 Foreigners In Bali Propose To Become Indonesian Citizens Throughout 2021

DENPASAR - As many as 10 foreign nationals (WNA) from various countries volunteered to become Indonesian citizens (WNI) at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) of Bali Province throughout 2021.

Head of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in Bali, Jamaruli Manihuruk, two foreigners have officially become Indonesian citizens. The two are Michael Romeo Lorenti Jr from the United States and Indra Jonas Rapp from Germany. Both have undergone the swearing-in ceremony on March 22.

"There are indeed 10 foreigners who submitted applications. But it is still an unfinished process, which has been completed by two people", said Jamaruli, Wednesday, December 29.

While the rest who are still in the process of becoming Indonesian citizens are Troy Sinclair from England, Marlon Gerber from Switzerland, Michael Szarata from Germany, Ni Wayan Samantha Isabhela Keatinge from Australia, Oyagi Shufa from Japan, Afandy Dharma Fairbrother from England, and Israel Rovirosa Figueroa from Mexico.

"It is still a process and we are still submitting it to the center to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights", he added.

Jamaruli explained that the criteria for a foreigner to become an Indonesian citizen are living in Indonesia for 5 consecutive years or 10 non-consecutive years.

In addition, he can speak Indonesian and recognizes the state basis of Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, and has never been sentenced to a criminal sentence or imprisonment for being proven to have committed no crime or crime.

"If not for five years in a row, there will be a Limited Stay Permit Card (Kitas) and a Permanent Stay Permit Card (Kitap).

If a Kitas is usually intermittent, it only lasts 10 years not consecutively, but once he switches to the Kitap he can continue for up to 5 years", said Jamaruli.

"When this is fulfilled, where he can become an Indonesian citizen but there are still other requirements. For example, he must be able to speak Indonesian, and have good intentions towards Indonesia, for example, not to harm the Indonesian government", he continued.

He gave the example of a Mexican foreigner, Israel Rovirosa Figueroa who volunteered to become an Indonesian citizen. The foreigner has a desire to revive the Balinese economy because he is a food entrepreneur.

"So don't let him become an Indonesian citizen, become unemployed and become a burden on our government. Including what we see is his obedience to the law. We will also see taxpayers, who have not obeyed their taxes so far", he said.

"So it must provide benefits to the government and also Indonesia", said Jamaruli.