Chairul Fikri, Jakarta – The Indonesian Mixed Marriage Organization (PerCa Indonesia) has urged the government to ensure that proposed changes to the country's citizenship law are fair, transparent and non-discriminatory, particularly when introducing limited dual citizenship.
PerCa Indonesia chairwoman Rulita Anggraini said Thursday that any new dual-citizenship framework should prioritize children born to mixed Indonesian-foreign marriages rather than selectively granting citizenship to foreign nationals based on subjective or transactional considerations.
"We hope the government will not grant it only to foreign nationals based on certain considerations. It should not be influenced by subjectivity or transactional interests, which could lead to discrimination, especially against children of mixed marriages," Rulita said in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
She said children of mixed marriages should be prioritized because they have Indonesian ancestry through their parents, referring to the jus sanguinis principle, or citizenship based on descent.
"On the basis of blood ties, they have a lineage and connection through parents who married foreigners. The government should prioritize those who have jus sanguinis, rather than foreign nationals who have no Indonesian ancestry," she said.
PerCa Indonesia also called for a clear and consistent process for obtaining dual citizenship, with strict eligibility criteria and requirements rather than decisions based on political or economic considerations.
Rulita said children born to mixed marriages should have access to a fair naturalization process and that any new citizenship rules should recognize them as an important national asset.
"We hope people granted dual citizenship can obtain it through clear criteria, requirements and a strict process, without considerations of profit, one-sided interests or the preferences of decision-makers," she said.
The government's plan to introduce limited dual citizenship was announced by President Prabowo Subianto during his state address and presentation of the 2027 draft state budget to the parliament on Aug. 14.
Prabowo asked lawmakers to consider allowing dual citizenship for selected individuals whose expertise is considered strategically important to Indonesia, such as scientists, doctors, engineers, artificial intelligence specialists, researchers, entrepreneurs, artists and athletes, particularly world-class soccer players.
Indonesia generally follows a single-citizenship policy for adults. Under the current Citizenship Law, Indonesians who voluntarily acquire another nationality can lose their Indonesian citizenship, while limited dual-citizenship arrangements are available to children under certain circumstances.
The proposed system would not provide blanket dual citizenship to Indonesians living abroad. Instead, eligibility would be selective and subject to strict requirements, including integrity assessments and rules governing the rights and obligations of dual citizens.
Indonesia has previously granted citizenship to foreign nationals through naturalization, particularly athletes recruited to represent the country in international competitions.
PerCa Indonesia said the revision should ultimately establish rules that apply consistently to all eligible groups, while giving proper consideration to Indonesians with direct family and ancestral ties to the country.