Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – The Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) program is drawing lukewarm response from diaspora and mixed-marriage groups, who warn the policy risks becoming a symbolic gesture rather than a real solution to long-standing citizenship problems.
The program, set to launch next week, offers a lifetime stay permit to former Indonesian citizens and their descendants. Modeled loosely on India's Overseas Citizenship of India, it stops short of granting political rights or restoring citizenship – a key demand among overseas Indonesians.
Nuning Hallett, executive director of the Indonesian Diaspora Network – United (IDN-U), said Indonesia's ban on adult dual citizenship continues to force hard trade-offs on its nationals abroad.
"About 28% of the Indonesian diaspora abroad have access to naturalization in other countries," Hallett told the Jakarta Globe. "Once they take that step, they lose all their rights in Indonesia."
Those losses, she said, are significant. Former Indonesian citizens cannot own freehold property, are barred from investing as locals, and must comply with foreign worker regulations if they return to work in Indonesia. Property ownership is reduced to a limited right-to-use status of up to 30 years, or must be sold within a year.
Indonesia has wrestled with dual citizenship since the early 2000s, particularly for children of mixed marriages. A 2006 compromise allows limited dual citizenship until age 21, after which individuals must choose one nationality. Efforts to expand that framework have repeatedly stalled, despite sustained lobbying by diaspora groups.
Hallett argued that GCI, issued through a ministerial immigration regulation, cannot override an act of parliament. "GCI should be embedded in the Citizenship Law if it is meant to create real change."
She added that diaspora interest has been muted. In an online community with 16,000 members, Hallett said participants overwhelmingly rejected GCI, preferring existing visa options.
Early reception has been lukewarm. Immigration Minister Agus Andrianto said only five people have applied for GCI so far, ahead of its Jan. 26 rollout.
Rulita Anggraini, chairwoman of mixed-marriage advocacy group PerCa Indonesia, has welcomed the government's intent but shared concerns over substance.
"GCI does not answer the problem of dual citizenship," she said. "It only provides immigration conveniences, such as stay permits."
For children of mixed marriages who lose Indonesian nationality after turning 21, the situation remains difficult. Many face complicated re-naturalization rules and job restrictions despite their Indonesian background – problems that, Rulita said, are not addressed by GCI.