Arcandra Tahar Removed From The Position Of Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources In Today's Memory, August 15, 2016

Arcandra Tahar was sworn in as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources on July 27, 2016. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA Memories of today, eight years ago, August 15, 2016, President Joko widodo (Jokowi) officially removed the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Arcandra Tahar. The removal is a new history because Arcandra has only worked as a minister for 20 days.

Previously, Arcandra's citizenship status was questioned. Arcandra is considered to have dual citizenship: Indonesia and the United States (US). This status has made criticism appear. Indonesian law never wants dual citizenship.

Jokowi's government was once considered a new hope for Indonesia. However, the business of running a government is not as easy as saying campaign promises. Jokowi tries to place people who are properly competent in the ranks of ministers.

Arcandra Tahar's name also appeared to replace Sudirman Said on July 27, 2016. Arcandra is considered a figure who is qualified in the field of ESDM. The placement was deemed punctuating. Arcandra's education is unquestionable. He graduated from the US too.

Jokowi also has many hopes for the figure of Arcandra. Problems arise from other things. Arcandra is rumored to be dual citizens: Indonesia and the US. The issue became controversial. The public was busy looking into it.

The results were obtained evidence that Arcandra voluntarily took a pledge of allegiance to the US in 2012. The public also responded negatively to Jokowi's decision to make Arcandra a minister. The decision was flooded with criticism.

However, the criticism that came was considered reasonable because Indonesia did not recognize dual citizenship. Whoever becomes a citizen of another country will surely lose his status as an Indonesian citizen (WNI).

This means that Arcandra is not only worthy of being a minister, but he is considered to have violated Indonesian law. The harshest criticism emerged from the former Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights, Denny Indrayana.

Denny considers Arcandra's inauguration with dual citizenship actually injures Jokowi's government. Arcandra clearly violates the law. He is considered to have violated Law No. 6/2011 on Immigration, Law No. 12/2006 on Citizenship, and Law No. 39/2008 on State Ministries.

"If it is maintained, it will violate the Law of the Ministry of State. Indonesia does not recognize citizens. So, Indonesian citizens can only hold Indonesian passports. Holding two passports, let alone using Indonesian passports, even though they are American citizens, is a violation of the Indonesian Immigration Law and can be punished," said Denny as quoted on the tempo.co page, August 14, 2016.

Criticism directed at the Jokowi government remains targeted. Jokowi took a stand. He chose to officially remove Arcandra from his position as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources on August 15, 2016. The removal was considered the most appropriate step.

Arcandra's removal urgency is indeed high. if the integrity of Jokowi's government does not collapse. Jokowi's government is considered to have done an embarrassing thing. In fact, matters of checking citizenship are not difficult. The government should not be missed.

Jokowi then appointed Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs to temporarily control the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources. The option was carried out until Jokowi chose the new Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources.

"In response to the citizenship status of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, after hearing from various sources, the President decided to honorably dismiss Brother Arcandra Tahar from the position of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources," said Minister of State Secretary Pratikno at a press conference at the Presidential Office as quoted on the detik.com page, August 15, 2016.