By: Sandy Arief)*
Mr. Jokowi’s cabinet being tested again by an horrendous issue. The issue is about Minister Arcandra Tahar who has been rumored having dual citizenship. The man who spent his twenty-year life-career in United States (US) was touted had being naturalized to a US citizen. Suddenly, this issue was booming very fast and invite diverse responses. Among the various responses that emerged, mostly asking if whether the issue is true? If it is true, how can the most strategic position in the field of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR) in Indonesia held by a foreign citizen? Inevitably, Mr. Jokowi’s administration looks hassles in order to response the issue.
The issue of Minister Arcandra’s dual citizenship emerged since Saturday (08/13/2016) morning through a serial of messages using Whatsapp that had been circulating among the press. The contents of the message questioning the integrity of Mr. Arcandra that have been considered to have an important position in the energy, mineral, and resources sector, but ironically he has the US citizenship. Mr. Arcandra also mentioned that he already holds a US passport after going through the process of naturalization in March 2012 with the oath of allegiance to the US. In fact, Arcandra also has been accused that he had registered a passport to the Consulate General of Republic of Indonesia in Houston, USA, with a validity period of five years from February 2012. Thus, some people considered that the Indonesia passport that Mr. Arcandra using is already invalid when he sworn in as the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources on June 27 ago. If the issue presented in those serial-messages are true, people can say that Mr. Arcandra deemed to have violated Law No. 6/2011 on Immigration, Law No. 12/2006 on Citizenship and Law No. 39/2008 on State Ministries as it is considered against the law and lied to the President and the people Indonesia related to his citizenship status.
In the eyes of the law, it is not difficult to looking for the solution in the issue of Mr. Arcandra’s dual citizenship. However, the issue of Mr. Arcandra’s dual citizenship is very “expensive” and “delicious” when viewed through the lens of politics. All parties who have an interest in the EMR sector certainly will not miss the momentum to exploit this issue. For those who feel threatened by Mr. Arcandra’s presence, this issue will be the main weapon to delegitimize Mr. Arcandra’s positions, which could lead to displacement in order to force Mr. Arcandra resign from his position as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia.
Certainly, President Jokowi will also be exposed to the sap of the issue of Mr. Arcandra’s dual citizenship. President Jokowi will be accused of not careful in choosing the person who is responsible for strategic fields, particularly EMR. Furthermore, the legitimacy of President Jokowi’s policies particularly in the field of EMR was vulnerable to always be “shaken”, in which it can have a negative impact on the course of development in Indonesia.
Public should be wise in responding to the issue of Mr. Arcandra’s dual citizenship. Various negative sentiment and speculation should be eliminated while waiting for an official clarification from the government. The principle of “presumption of innocence” against the Minister Arcandra should be upheld. Especially when considering that the source of this issue is the serial-messages that their validity is still being questioned. Therefore, the public should not blaspheme Mr. Arcandra with a hurtful and irresponsible accusation. On the contrary, the public should appreciate Mr. Arcandra eagerness to leave a brilliant career in the US in order to serve the Indonesian.
)* The author is CIDISS contributor
