Some foreign entertainers have acknowledged they are seeking Indonesian citizenship because they can enjoy a good life here.

Filipino singer Maribeth Pascua, famous for her song Denpasar Moon, said recently Indonesia had a lot more to offer than her homeland.

"I really want to be an Indonesian citizen because I feel my work (music) is more appreciated here than in my country. I released 10 albums in this country between 1992 and 2002," said the 37-year-old, who has been living in Indonesia for about 17 years.

"The people are also friendly and warm. Although they come from different backgrounds and religions, they still manage to live in harmony. It's very different from my country," she said.

She said the low cost of living was another reason she chose to live here.

Malaysian actor Mohammad Suhaemi, also known as Miller, said his life had changed after he visited Indonesia last year.

Miller was "nobody" when he first arrived, until a local production house, MD Entertainment, "discovered" him and offered him a role in an advertisement.

"I first came here for a holiday with a tourist visa. MD Entertainment then offered me jobs in advertisements, TV dramas and movies. It's amazing that suddenly I become famous. I'm really interested in becoming an Indonesian citizen," said Miller, who starred in the TV drama Azizah and the film Cintapuccino.

Good-looking and talented foreign entertainers, including those born from transnational couples, tend to get jobs easily here, thanks to local production houses that count on them for their looks.

As with other foreign workers, foreign entertainers have to follow the required procedures to obtain work permits, usually arranged by the companies that employ them.

Miller and Maribeth said it was easy to get the work permits but applying for Indonesian citizenship required a long process.

Maribeth, for example, has been struggling to get her Indonesian citizenship for years.

"So far, I have only been able to get a Limited Stay Permit (KITAS) and I have to renew it every couple of months. Immigration officers told me I have to apply for a Permanent Stay Permit (KITAP) first before applying for citizenship," said Maribeth, who applied for a KITAP three years ago.

"It is so hard to obtain the KITAP. To get one, the immigration officials suggested I work as a permanent employee in a company."

After that, she received an offer to work as a marketing manager in a music school and she now works full-time as a lecturer in mass communications at the London School of Public Relations in Jakarta.

A foreign national can become an Indonesian citizen if he or she lives here for five consecutive years or 10 nonconsecutive years, according to the director for investigation and immigration violation affairs, Syaiful Rahman.

He said it would be easier for a KITAS holder to get a permanent stay permit if he or she is in the category that includes capital investors or experts in science and technology.

Those who are married to an Indonesian may also have a better chance of obtaining Indonesian citizenship.

"Maribeth's profession became her barrier when she wanted to apply for citizenship because it was not included in that category," said Syaiful, adding that marrying an Indonesian was the easiest way to get citizenship.

"Foreign entertainers from transnational couples, such as British actress Rianti Cartwright and Australian actor Andrew White, can get citizenship more easily because their mothers are Indonesian."

Despite the barriers, Maribeth said she would keep struggling to for citizenship despite the complex procedures.

"I love Indonesia and have been a part of this country for so long. I will continue to strive for citizenship," she said. (trw)

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