Children From Mixed Marriages Still Face Citizenship Issues

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By:

Team of Hukumindo

Previously, the www.hukumindo.com platform has talk about "Contoh Surat Kuasa Khusus Gugatan Tata Usaha Negara", "Contoh Surat Gugatan Terhadap Surat Keputusan Tata Usaha Negara", you may read also "Asas-asas Umum Pemerintahan Yang Baik Menurut Para Ahli dan Menurut Undang-Undang" and on this occasion we will discuss about 'Children From Mixed Marriages Still Face Citizenship Issues'.

Professor of International Law at the University of Indonesia (UI), Prof. Hikmahanto Juwana, assessed that the Indonesian government has not resolved the issue regarding the citizenship of children born from marriages between Indonesian citizens (WNI) and foreign citizens (WNA). He said this during a discussion event "Critical Review of Law No. 12/2006 in a Legal Perspective" organized by the Indonesian Mixed Marriage Society (PerCa) in Jakarta, Wednesday (11/26/2025). According to Hikmahanto, although the government continues to strive to improve citizenship laws, children from mixed marriages still do not receive maximum benefits from the law. He cited the case of a child born to an Indonesian citizen and a Singaporean citizen and is considered a citizen of that country despite holding an Indonesian passport. As a result, the child is still required to carry out duties as a Singaporean citizen. The Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Singapore, he said, has made diplomatic efforts to the local government but has not received a response. "In my opinion, the Indonesian government should be tough in protecting its citizens," said Hikmahanto, who regretted the incident because the child actively declared himself an Indonesian citizen. Hikmahanto believes that the process of changing citizenship to Indonesian is still complicated, resulting in many children of mixed marriages facing difficulties when applying for naturalization.[1]

He said the Citizenship Law amendment must provide a fast, simple, and realistic mechanism for them, and the government needs to ensure procedures are not burdensome, especially for those who have long resided in Indonesia. He emphasized the importance of regulations requiring the government to take active action when a child is recognized as a foreign national, even if the child has lived and identified as an Indonesian citizen. He also stated that firm government action is needed to demonstrate the state's commitment to its citizens. Hikmahanto expressed his hope that the Citizenship Law amendment would strengthen protection and provide legal certainty. Indonesia needs to have citizenship protection standards like other countries, he said. According to PerCa, of its 1,823 members, 556 are stateless and 823 hold dual citizenship.[2]

On October 1, 2025, Andreas Hugo Pareira, Deputy Chairman of Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), criticized the government, stating that ordinary citizens born from mixed marriages have difficulty obtaining Indonesian citizen status, while naturalized sports players can obtain it quickly. Responding to this, the Director General of Legal Administration at the Ministry of Law, Widodo, said that children resulting from mixed marriages have dual citizenship rights before choosing citizenship at the age of 18 or after marriage.[3] And if you have any legal issue in Indonesia territory, contact us for business inquiry, feel free in 24 hour, we will be glad to assist you. 

*) For further information please contact:

Mahmud Kusuma Advocate

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Jakarta - Indonesia.

E-mail: mahmudkusuma22@gmail.com

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References:

1. "Pakar: Anak hasil kawin campur masih hadapi masalah kewarganegaraan", www.antaranews.com., 26 November 2025, Diakses pada tanggal 5 Desember 2025, Link: https://www.antaranews.com/berita/5268449/pakar-anak-hasil-kawin-campur-masih-hadapi-masalah-kewarganegaraan

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.