By: Mohammad Irfandi)*
Bi-national events that happened to one minister in the Cabinet reshuffle Kabinet Kerja II reaping a lot of attention from various circles. The case seemed to be a material problem for all people in Indonesia when the parties showed that a Minister with a variety of special skills they have. That dilemma is between choosing to continue the status of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arcandra Tahar with expertise or enforcing rules regarding the status of the citizen for the entire Ministerial.
The case of sticking to the public when a number of chain messages via WhatsApp circulated among press workers. Many questions ask about the integrity of its contents considering to have an important position in the EMR sector, but he has US citizenship. Arcandra already holds a US passport after going through the process of naturalization in March 2012 with the oath of allegiance to the United States. Because Indonesia does not recognize Bi-national Status, legally Arcandra rated already lost his Indonesia citizen status. In fact, it was mentioned a month before it became a US citizen, in February 2012, Arcandra has managed a passport to the Consulate General in Houston, USA, with a validity period of five years.
Related to that, Arcandra rated violating 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 people of Indonesia regarding the status of citizenship. Article 23 of Law No.12 of 2006 on Citizenship of the Republic of Indonesia said that Indonesian citizens lose their citizenship if the concerned acquire another nationality of his own volition, not reject, or do not release any other citizenship.
In response to these concerns, Vice President Jusuf Kalla reminded, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arcandra Tahar to improve administrative processes citizenship. It needs to be done after news emerged if Arcandra known as United States citizen. Kalla emphasized that the completion of the process of administration is essential. Even so, he called on the people for do not forget the main purpose of the government was calling Arcandra return to Indonesia, is calling the Indonesian young workers who were abroad to be re-build the country.
Meanwhile, looking at the expertise possessed by Arcandra Tahar, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Representatives, DPR RI, Fahri Hamzah asked President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) still use Arcandra expertising in the field of energy. In particular to make the process of consolidation of our oil and gas industry, or our energy sector which have indicated there are a lot of mark up and miscalculation that resulted in many national loss. Mistakes made by pointing Arcandra as Minister is expected to be a lesson that will not be repeated.
Observing the dilemma is being experienced by all Indonesian people related to the case of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Indonesian government should have to state the attitude to keep enforcing rules related to citizenship status which guarantees citizens a sense of nationalism. But if you look at the brilliant skills possessed Arcandra Tahar, Much the great hope of Indonesian people to parties concerned can take care of administrative matters related to citizenship status to be able to return to serve and work for the progress of the Republic of Indonesia.
)* Political Economy of Indonesia Observer
