Indonesia is considering allowing dual nationality in certain cases. According to Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan. Worldwide more and more countries have changed their laws since WW2 to allow more than one nationality/citizenship. Indonesia is showing to be pragmatic but also modern and liberal.
Most European and developed countries have already changed their laws. However, the Netherlands seems to still be following the North Korean and Chinese example of finding the idea unacceptable. The nationality and immigration law even has an aspect of feudal banishment if you are unlucky enough to have family or bonds abroad. We can even argue institutional xenophobia.
The Netherlands has since the anti foreigner, anti Prussian (German) migrants, law of 1893 found itself having to modernise over the decades. As such the many times adapted Dutch nationality law allows other nationalities sometimes. But only for certain exceptions which were forced on the country by the more humane international treaties from the UN and EU. But at the same time there seems to be an apparent active government policy to make life very difficult for those with family or other bonds to more than one country. The Dutch law is full of conditional exceptions with exceptions to the conditions etc and officials are often found making mistakes or advising people incorrectly or certainly not fully. As such, the Dutch nationality law is by now by many regarded as a minefield. Be careful where you step!
Indonesia, as a former Dutch colony, its nationality law looks (as many of the other former colonies) a lot like the old Dutch nationality law of 1893. The danger is that they will follow it’s old colonial master’s example again and start convoluting its law with conditional exceptions. My advise to the Indonesian government is to think this through. There are economic benefits in allowing dual nationality outright, unconditionally, except for the usual protections against terrorism and war.
Kris von Habsburg
Specialist Dutch Nationality Lawyer (jurist)
