Indonesia to relax rules on citizenship

The Indonesian House of Representatives and the government have agreed to ease procedures for people from other countries to acquire Indonesian citizenship or permanent resident status, local media reported Saturday.

"Basically, we agreed to ease the procedures for foreigners who believe they are entitled to Indonesian citizenship or permanent resident status," legislator Boy. W. Saul of the Democrat Party was quoted by the Jakarta Post as saying.

The move is expected to boost foreign investment to Indonesia, the legislator said.

Legislator Bomer Pasaribu of the Golkar Party said that the people affected by the regulation would be "those who can improve the country such as researchers or investors."

"To get Indonesian citizenship, they are required to have permanent resident status first, just like other countries," he said.

Foreigners who are married to Indonesians can be "given a chance" to get the status regardless of gender, he added.

The existing law does not allow an Indonesian woman to sponsor a non-Indonesian husband for permanent resident status. At present, foreigners can only be sponsored by companies that employ them here.

Permanent resident status only lasts for five years and is subject to extension.

Non-Indonesians can only apply for permanent resident status five years after they are given a limited stay permit.

Justice Minister Hamid Awaluddin said that the government has made a "breakthrough" for foreign residents, so that they can enter and stay in the country. He added that it is done in a bid to woo investors.

Source: Xinhua