Indonesia has long been an enticing destination for travelers from around the world, and for some, the attraction runs deeper as they choose to make Indonesia their permanent home by obtaining Indonesian citizenship. In a recent and heartening development, a group of foreign residents in Bali, the result of mixed marriages, have made the remarkable decision to transition their status to become Indonesian citizens, often referred to as Warga Negara Indonesia (WNI).
This noteworthy event unfolded at the Dharmawangsa Room of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in Bali on a Monday (28/8). Nine individuals, eight of whom were born from mixed Indonesian-Japanese marriages and one from an Indonesian-New Zealand union, eagerly submitted their applications to embark on this significant journey.
The eight individuals born from Indonesian-Japanese marriages are I Gede Yuji, Ni Made Ana Surya Dewi, Pande Putu Akira Narayana, Kondo Shoji, Ni Made Sakura Dewi, Anna Inao, I Wayan Daichi, and Dewa Putu Uni Putrawan. The ninth applicant, Putu Kieran Syme, was born from an Indonesian-New Zealand mixed marriage.
Their collective decision to transition their citizenship status and become WNIs is profoundly influenced by the rich culture, deep-rooted traditions, and enchanting way of life that Indonesia, especially Bali, offers. These individuals have embraced Indonesia as their home and wish to make it official by becoming full-fledged Indonesian citizens.
The naturalization proceedings, marked by their deep sense of commitment, were presided over by Anggiat Napitupulu, the Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. Alongside him was Alexander Palti, the Head of the Legal and Human Rights Service Division, and a verification team from the Legal and Human Rights Division.
In addition to this esteemed panel, representatives from the Immigration Division, the Bali Regional Police (Polda Bali), and the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) in Bali were also in attendance.
During the proceedings, the verification team, tasked with ensuring the applicants’ suitability for Indonesian citizenship, posed a series of questions. These inquiries spanned a range of topics, including their knowledge of Indonesian citizenship, understanding of tax matters, and any potential past criminal activities.
Anggiat Napitupulu elaborated on the nature of these inquiries, stating, “Verifiers asked several questions related to citizenship knowledge, tax matters, and criminal actions.”
The legal framework governing this crucial process is established in Law Number 12 of 2006 on Citizenship. Anggiat Napitupulu emphasized that, from a formal perspective, all nine applicants fulfilled the necessary requirements.
“Next, the verification team will conduct further checks on the completeness of the documents, and then the citizenship applications will be forwarded to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in Jakarta,” Anggiat Napitupulu conveyed.
This momentous decision taken by these foreign residents underscores the magnetic appeal of Indonesia’s culture, heritage, and lifestyle. It is a testament to the warmth and inclusivity of Indonesian society, where people from diverse backgrounds can seamlessly integrate and make Indonesia their beloved home.
