TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Ministry to issue diaspora card
The Foreign Ministry (Kemlu) is building a tracking system for Indonesiaâs diaspora to enable it to better trace their jobs and skills
Change Size
T
he Foreign Ministry (Kemlu) is building a tracking system for Indonesia's diaspora to enable it to better trace their jobs and skills.
'The Foreign Ministry will issue a diaspora card which will inform a database for mapping the potential of Indonesia's diaspora all over the world,' said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in her opening speech for the 3rd Indonesian Diaspora Congress as quoted by Antara news agency on Wednesday.
According to Retno, the system will allow the government to track numbers living where, and other data relating to the entire Indonesian diaspora community across the globe.
'Currently, when asked about the number of Indonesians living internationally, we are still giving out estimates ' around eight million. With this system, the number will be more precise,' she said.
The system will also be used to track the professions and expertise of card holders, to better understand their potential. If this is achieved, it will be easier to cooperate with them, Retno said.
Also at the congress, Indonesian Diaspora president Edward Wanandi urged the government to reconsider its stance on dual citizenship.
Citing China and the Philippines as examples, Edward explained that Indonesia would benefit from allowing dual citizenship as it would increase foreign exchange reserves, which originated from those living overseas.
Indonesia's estimated eight million citizens living overseas contribute Rp 115 trillion (US$8.3 billion) per year to the country's foreign exchange reserves. For the Philippines, which allows dual citizenship for around 10 million overseas Filipinos, that figure is $25 billion. (rad/kes)(+++)
