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Arcandra’s citizenship cleared with President: Ministry
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Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arcandra Tahar speaks to journalists in his office in Jakarta recently. (kompas.com/Estu Suryowati )
T
he Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry is downplaying rumors that claim Minister Arcandra Tahar has violated Indonesian law by holding dual citizenship.
Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry secretary-general Teguh Pamudji told The Jakarta Post on Saturday that, whatever the issue, it had already been cleared with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.
"It has already been cleared with the President and other relevant officials. So, it is no longer an issue," he said in a short message.
Rumors began circulating on Saturday morning after a WhatsApp message alleged that Arcandra swore an oath of allegiance to the US in 2012 that made him a naturalized US citizen. According to the message, Arcandra kept his Indonesian passport valid, allegedly for private purposes.
He was appointed Energy and Mineral Resources Minister in late July, replacing Sudirman Said. When asked about his citizenship by journalists at the State Palace on Friday, Arcandra replied, “Look at my face. It’s a Padang face.”
Law No. 12/2006 on Indonesian citizenship stipulates that Indonesians automatically lose their citizenship if they obtain another on their own accord, or if they voluntarily pledge allegiance to a foreign country, or if they have a foreign passport. (tas)
