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Govt, House to discuss reinstating Arcandra's citizenship
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Former energy and mineral resources minister Arcandra Tahar speaks to journalists at the Office of the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister on Aug. 9. (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)
T
he government is set to discuss the reinstatement of former energy and mineral resources minister Arcandra Tahar's Indonesian citizenship with the House of Representatives Commission III overseeing legal affairs in early September.
Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly explained that Arcandra had gained US citizenship in 2012. Under Indonesian law, Arcandra then automatically lost his Indonesian citizenship, which should have been followed by a ministerial decree to officially revoke his citizenship. The decree had yet to be issued, Yasonna added.
However, as Arcandra had renounced his US citizenship shortly after being offered a position as an Indonesian Cabinet minister, Yasonna said, his office could not issue the decree to officially revoke Arcandra's Indonesian citizenship as it would make him stateless.
Law No. 12/2006 on Indonesian citizenship does not allow anyone to be stateless. Furthermore, under Article 36 of the law, a government official who revokes someone's citizenship and causes the person to become stateless can face one year’s imprisonment, Yasonna said.
"We prefer to reinstate [Arcandra's Indonesian citizenship] as he should not be stateless. We will consult with Commission III to make the decision carefully. I will explain our [legal] position during the working meeting on Sept. 7," Yasonna said on Tuesday.
Based on the Citizenship Law, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo must first seek consideration from the House to reinstate Arcandra's Indonesian citizenship. (bbn)
