The Ministry Of Home Affairs Reminds Parents About The Potential Problems Of Children With Dual Citizenship

Director General of Population and Civil Registry, Ministry of Home Affairs, Prof. Zudan Arif/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Directorate General (Ditjen) of Population and Civil Registry of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) warned that potential problems that will arise regarding the status of children with dual citizenship are limited if they are not followed up. " said the Director General of Population and Civil Registry, Ministry of Home Affairs, Prof. Zudan Arif Fakrulloh at a national symposium on constitutional law with the theme "strengthening the function of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in providing legal protection and certainty through improving state administration services" which was virtually monitored in Jakarta, Wednesday. He explained if the child did not register as a child with limited dual citizenship. which is the result of a mixed marriage, then the child has two nationalities. Next he must choose a definitive citizenship status. Problems will arise if the child has a United States passport, but also has an e-KTP and is 20 years old. Prof. Zudan anticipates that this problem could become a political issue in 2024. "You have a United States passport at the age of 20, but how come you vote," he said.

Moreover, he believes that not all people know or understand the concept of limited dual citizenship. To anticipate this, he suggested that reformulation be made so that problems do not arise in the future. If the child does not choose the status of a foreign citizen (WNA), then the relevant parties must start thinking about optimal protection as an Indonesian citizen (WNI) if he does not declare "So far, if he does not declare, he becomes a foreigner," said Zudan. However, now, if the child does not declare himself, he will automatically become an Indonesian citizen. However, there are requirements that must be met in order to gain the status of an Indonesian citizen. First, the child must already live in Indonesia and enter the Indonesian family card, so that he is only referred to as an Indonesian citizen. In other words, there is a conditional clause for optimal protection as an Indonesian citizen.