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Minister defends quick restoration of Arcandra’s citizenship
Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly defended on Wednesday the unusually speedy reinstatement of Arcandra Tahar’s citizenship and dismissed perceptions that the government had given the ex- Energy and Mineral Resources minister preferential treatment.
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Arcandra Tahar (pictured) speaks to journalists at the Office of the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister on Aug. 9. (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)
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aw and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly defended on Wednesday the unusually speedy reinstatement of Arcandra Tahar’s citizenship and dismissed perceptions that the government had given the ex- energy and mineral resources minister preferential treatment.
It only took two weeks for the ministry to regrant Arcandra his citizenship after having lost his Cabinet position due to a dual nationality, which is illegal under the Indonesian laws.
Under normal circumstances, it can take people months or even years to regain their lost citizenship. The fast reinstatement process has spurred speculation that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo intends to return Arcandra to his Cabinet post.
Yassona compared the restoration of Arcandra’s citizenship to the thousands of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia who lost theirs after casting ballots in Malaysian elections.
“Arcandra's case has received additional attention because of its political overtones,” Yasonna said.
Jokowi appointed Arcandra as energy and mineral resources minister on July 27. Twenty days later, he was dismissed for owning both Indonesian and American passports.
Yasonna said that Arcandra gave up his US citizenship on Aug. 12, approved by the US Department of State on Aug. 15. He automatically lost his Indonesian citizenship regardless, leaving him stateless.
However, the government is committed to helping stateless Indonesians regain their citizenship, Yasonna added. (wnd)
