Director General Of AHU: The Dwi Residential Scheme For Indonesian Diaspora Continues To Be Discussed

JAKARTA - Director General of General Legal Administration Cahyo R Muzhar said the discourse on the use of the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) model scheme that applies in India for Indonesian diaspora is still being discussed with related institutions.

"OCI itself is a policy that applies to foreign nationals from India or their ancestors or partners from India, but gets almost the same facilities or convenience as Indian citizens," said Cahyo at the National Discussion Forum for Government Collaborative Policies: Increasing the Role of Diaspora in Economic Growth and Advancement of Science and Technology.

He explained several things that underlie the SCI policy in India, namely the recognition of India's diaspora contribution to national development, the provision of travel facilities and residence permits, then efforts to encourage entanglement and integration between social-culture and economic factors, as well as an effort to maintain a sense of belonging.

"The SCHEME model of OCI is based on the direction of the President of the Republic of Indonesia at an internal meeting on April 17, 2024, Indonesia still adheres to a single citizenship system with the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) model like India," he said.

Cahyo revealed that the SCI model scheme itself has several benefits, namely the ease of entry to India without visas (multiple entry), exceptions to reporting to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), equal treatment and rights with other Indian citizens, the implementation of the same rates and costs as imposed on Indian citizens as well as the ease in the procedure for child adoption in India.

"Meanwhile, the SCI restriction, namely the absence of voting rights and political rights, cannot become civil servants and government officials, does not have ownership of agricultural land and cannot occupy a constitutional position," he explained.

Despite having advantages and restrictions, continued Cahyo, OCI is still under discussion by related ministries and institutions because the SCI model scheme also needs to be harmonized with several existing laws and regulations.

"This discussion forum is very important for the direction of national policy, it is hoped that this activity can produce a draft policy that can be given to the Indonesian Diaspora, by referring to the types of conveniences provided in supporting national development as an effort to increase economic growth and development of science and technology, through a comprehensive study of the application of the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) model system.

Previously, the Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly, at a working meeting with Commission III of the DPR RI, Wednesday (12/6/2024) expressed his desire to adopt the SCI scheme in responding to the issue of dual citizenship for the Indonesian diaspora. This position was carried out by the government as a step to facilitate the Indonesian diaspora who wanted to come to Indonesia.