Indonesian diaspora welcomes proposal for dual citizenship

But analysts and officials say more details are needed, with some raising concerns

- Linda Yulisman

JAKARTA A plan by the Indonesian government to offer dual citizenship to former citizens, to entice those with skills to return, has been given a big thumbs-up by the diaspora. But far more details are needed to make this a reality, analysts and officials say.

The proposal announced in April without details by a senior minister comes at a time when countries are competing to attract talent, with Indonesia itself keen to move up from an upper-middle-income economy to a high-income country.

President-elect Prabowo Subianto told an investment forum in March that he is aiming for annual growth of 8 per cent in the five years of his term. This compares with annual economic expansion of just over 5 per cent in the last two years.

Indonesia's law does not recognise dual citizenship for adults, and a child holding two passports must choose one and renounce the other when they turn 18.

The country has suffered from a brain drain as skilled locals shifted their citizenship to the countries where they work and live, often driven by better career opportunities and much higher pay. Nearly 4,000 young Indonesians, for example, obtained Singapore passports from 2019 to 2022, according to Indonesia's Immigration Office.

In total, there are around six million people in the Indonesian diaspora, based on government data.

They include skilled and unskilled workers, along with their families, with some having renounced their citizenship and others remaining Indonesian.

Indonesian Diaspora Network Global president Sulistyawan Wibisono called the government's plan a "strategic step", saying it would give the nation a boost should former Indonesian citizens return.

"If the Indonesian diaspora can enter Indonesia without many hurdles, they with their expertise will bring positive impact to the businesses," said Mr Sulistyawan, a 47-year-old Melbourne-based trademark attorney.