Menkumham Response To Dwi's Discourse On Indonesian Citizenship

MAKASSAR - Minister of Law and Human Rights Yassona Laoly responded to the discourse of dual citizenship which was widely demanded by the Indonesian diaspora or people who migrated to other countries through the Overseas Citizenship of India or SCI scheme.

"Many Indonesian diaspora demand citizenship. However, we can give it the name OCI of the OCI type in India, the Overseas Citizenship of Indonesia," said Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna during the inauguration of the South Sulawesi Ministry of Law and Human Rights Regional Office on Jalan Sultan Alauddin, Makassar, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, June 14.

He explained that the gift of OCI was an effort to accommodate the demand for diaspora that could enter and leave Indonesia to other countries where they live, because they still have relationships and families in Indonesia.

However, these diaspora were given a multiplier entryvisa or visa documents that apply to several entry times with a limited stay in Indonesia.

"Mereka, Dispora Indonesia kita berikan visa seumur hidup,multiple entry, dapat melakukan usaha di sini, bisnis, tentu banyak pajak dan dapat tinggal di sini, dapat yang dapat keluar masuk. Itu yang dapat kita memberikan," katanya menjawab pertanyaan wartawan.

Nevertheless, the gift of the OCI, said Yasonna, of course there are requirements that must be met by the Indonesian Diaspora, because it has been regulated in the laws and regulations.

"However, it is not permissible to hold public positions, not to be elected and vote. So, that's what we do," Yasonna explained.

According to him, the implementation refers to the Law on Citizenship which adheres to single citizenship and does not adhere to dual citizenship or two identities of citizens.

"This has a historical basic philosophy long before Indonesia's independence. There is a Youth Pledge on October 28, what is called there, one homeland, one nation, Indonesian nation, one Indonesian language. So, there are no so-called two homelands," he stressed.

Previously, the government's discourse was to provide dual citizenship for the Indonesian Diaspora through the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. Luhut reasoned that the citizenship given to the diaspora was to be able to return home to help the Indonesian economy.