Jakarta Globe, Novianti Setuningsih, Mar 18, 2015
Crowned
Miss Indonesia in 2006, Kristania
Virginia Besouw, 29, says she felt like she
had no choice but to give up her Indonesian
citizenship. (Photo courtesy
of Facebook)
|
Kalla
addressed previous comments regarding stripping Indonesians of their
citizenship if they are found to have fought for a foreign force overseas,
namely the Islamic State militia in Syria and Iraq.
“Anyone who
fights for other countries will lose their citizenship. This is according to
our law,” the vice president said in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Indonesia’s
National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) says an estimated 500 Indonesians have
joined IS, with some believed to have returned to Indonesia.
Anti-terror
officials have expressed frustration with the lack of a legal basis for which
to charge suspected IS members unless they have been involved in criminal
activities at home.
Of eight
Indonesians arrested in Malaysia in December last year allegedly attempting to
reach Syria via Turkey to join IS, only one remains in detention.
The man,
identified as Suyatno and previously detained on terrorism-related charges, has
been charged in relation to past terrorism activity and identity document
forgery — unrelated to the arrest in Malaysia.
The seven
remaining people, including women and children, have been cleared of charges
and released from detention.
Article 23
of Indonesia’s 2006 Citizenship Law identifies a number of instances in which
an Indonesian would lose citizenship, including obtaining citizen status from
another country after applying for it; not rejecting a citizenship status
granted by another country; and joining a foreign armed force without the
approval of the Indonesian president.
The latter
case was highlighted recently after a former Miss Indonesia beauty queen joined the US Army as a nurse —
a move that comes with the promise of US citizenship.
Crowned
Miss Indonesia in 2006, Kristania Virginia Besouw, 29, said she would prefer to
hold dual citizenship, which is permitted by the United States but not by
Indonesia. She said she felt she had no choice but to give up her Indonesian
citizenship.
“If
Indonesia allowed dual citizenship, that would be nice. But for now, yes, I am
a citizen of the United States,” Kristania said.
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