By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil
JAKARTA, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- Indonesia is proposing legal amendments to allow limited dual citizenship for selected talents deemed capable of contributing to the national interest.
President Prabowo Subianto said there are millions of members of the Indonesian diaspora around the world, including scientists, doctors, engineers, artificial intelligence experts, researchers, entrepreneurs, artists and athletes whose expertise is needed by the country.
He said some members of the Indonesian diaspora had changed their citizenship for reasons including pursuing global careers, family needs or serving abroad.
Prabowo said Indonesia should not force its best talents to choose between global opportunities and maintaining ties with their homeland.
“Today, the government will submit to this honourable session amendments to the law to allow limited dual citizenship for those who possess exceptional talent and can make extraordinary contributions to the national interest,” he said when presenting the 2027 State Budget Bill and Financial Note at the parliament on Friday.
The President is proposing a state expenditure of Rp4.09 quadrillion (Rp1 million = RM228.40) for 2027 to support eight national priority programmes including food security, energy and water self-sufficiency, education, health and people’s economy as the government targets stronger economic growth of six per cent next year.
He said these measures are aimed at turning Indonesia’s wealth into national strength that truly delivers tangible benefits to the people.
Prabowo also called for greater efficiency at all levels of government and the elimination of corruption, fraud and inflated costs, saying every rupiah spent must have a purpose and measurable outcome.
“We will implement this with discipline. There must be no projects that are large only in terms of budget but deliver little benefit. There must be no incentives without new jobs and no investment without technology transfer,” he said.
-- NNN-BERNAMA