Issues: Letters: On ‘citizenship matters’

March 2, p. 8
 I refer to an article titled “Citizenship matters,” (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 22).  I live in London and have dual British and Bangladeshi nationality. I am proud to have a Bangladeshi nationality and find it useful. Although, like an Indonesian passport, it’s difficult to travel and get visas to travel abroad with a Bangladeshi passport, but there are advantages too.
When I go to Bangladesh, I do not need to apply for a visa every time and do not have to apply for extensions. I am also proud to have Bangladeshi nationality because that is my country of origin. I use my British passport to travel abroad. I enjoy the benefits of my both my Bangladeshi and British identities.
I am shocked at the article by the British guy who lives in Bali and has a Balinese wife. He asks: “Why would anyone want such dual nationality for themselves or for their children?” He also says: “I am British and would never allow my two children with my Balinese wife to be Indonesian citizens, not even if they retained their British citizenship”.
Another point makes it clear to me the reason behind his position. He points out: “When asked where my wife is from, we never, ever say ‘Indonesia’. We only ever reply ‘Bali’”. (By Muhammad Ahmedullah, London)  

Your comments:
I agree with you 100 percent Muhammad Ahmedullah. We can wonder why a guy like that even wants to live in Indonesia.
But it does not really matter what he says about his children’s citizenship, because Indonesia will not allow his children to have dual citizenship after 18 years anyway.
I Wonder why Indonesia does like that. I feel sad for my son, to have to make that difficult choice one day!
Per Aldrin
Jakarta

I have met some Westerners in Bali who have some kind of prejudice against people from Java (especially if they are Muslims). The funny thing is that the Javanese and the Balinese are closely related (based on their DNA, traditions and even mentality). The only group in Java that is not closely related to the Balinese is the Sundanese of West Java (as their ancestors were linked to the Malays of the Malaysian Peninsula).
I think Indonesians (whoever they are) should see their diversity as an asset. I am quite optimistic to see and experience the fact that Indonesia has indeed moved in the right direction.
After the end of Soeharto, there have been significant improvements in some Indonesian provinces (i.e. Riau mainland, South Sumatra and South Sulawesi).
Sandra D.
Paris
Well guys, what can you expect from someone self centered who thinks being white is superior? Would he ever know that plurality – not uniformity – is the essence of democracy and humanity?
He might have ignored that the very existence of today’s western so-called democracies had been built over the most undemocratic, and in many cases inhumane, acts of violence – the mighty colonialism and imperialism across countries now are struggling to develop self reliance and fight poverty. Just let him go his way.
Sam Ramoe
Australia

Indonesian and Bangladeshi passports do not possess the same scrutiny for air travel. On the other hand, Indonesian passport holders are in a better situation. Upon checking in, a Bangladeshi passport or an Indian passport for that matter cannot even measure up to the amount of countries that Indonesia enjoys free travel in, without requiring a visa to visit the friendly 12 some plus countries around the world.
Indonesians for the most part, do not face extreme difficulty in obtaining visas in western countries. It also depends on how the applicants present themselves at the embassy and the purpose of the trip. I cannot speak for others rather than from my experiences that encountering difficulties at one of the EU embassies has never occurred, nor at the border.
Nonetheless, whatever your luck took you to own an alternative passport other than a Bangladeshi passport serves you great purpose. But anyone owning a Muslim or Arab sounding name, regardless of nationality, may damper air travel to certain Western countries. Sadly, it is a reality that some face scrutiny.
Edwin J.
Jakarta

That, my friend Muhammad, is called “Islamophobia” that you experience too in Britain. These westerners simply never get, or do not want to get, the fact that Balinese has been part of Indonesia’s history since at least the 10th century.
Just name them: Anak Wungsu, Dharmawangsa, King Panjisakti, Surapati and other thousands of Balinese slaves around Indonesia, which even built part of Betawi (native Jakartan) society, and the Balinese have struggled together with other ethnic groups against colonial rule.
Also I sense that it is usual to find that there is “hidden envy” toward the Javanese (either it means the Javanese speaking group or people living in Java) among other Indonesian groups. Each has their own reason.
Djaka
Yogyakarta