Mixed NewsWell, seemingly
I belong to 1968 ~ and thanks to
Inspector Sands for that blogthing ~ but I'm also here and now.
And here and now, along with
Indcoup and countless other expats, are problems. You see, we have Indonesian marital partners and the citizenship law, Law No. 62/1958, is
"no longer appropriate at a time when democracy and equality should reign."The following points are taken from an article by Julie Marsaban of the
Soroptimists (whose site hasn't been updated for five years!) in the monthly magazine,
Kem Chicks World. This is issued by Kemchicks supermarket in the upmarket enclave of Kemang, which caters for expats, generally short-term residents, who need a 'taste of home'.
* Dual nationality is not permitted in Indonesian law.
* Foreign partners of Indonesian spouses must have a stay permit with exit/re-entry permits and a work permit.
* Foreigners cannot own 'real estate'.
* Children of a 'mixed marriage' take the father's nationality.
* Foreign husbands cannot be sponsored by their wives. (If the husband loses his sponsorship, generally provided by the employing company, the Indonesian wife and any children of the marriage have to leave the country.)
* Foreign wives cannot work and must regularly renew their stay and exit/re-entry permits. This generally entails a trip to Singapore.
The Aliansi Pelangi Antar Bangsa (APAB) was formed in 2002 to advocate changes in certain Indonesian laws and regulations that have negative consequences on families of mixed marriages. Now, APAB comprises six organisations: Srikandi,
Indo-MC (mixed couples), DIANA (Dialog Antar Bangsa), C4 (Cross Cultural Couples Club), LBH (Legal Aid Bureaux), Womigo and Soroptimist International of Jakarta.
A year ago, APAB presented an appeal to the Legislative Body of the House of Representatives for dual nationality to be allowed for Indonesian citizens.And
now comes news that
the House of Representatives legislation committee will propose a new bill on citizenship, which aims to eliminate discriminatory articles under the current problematic law.
Legislation committee member, Nursjahbani Katjasungkana, said that the purpose would be to erase as much as possible all discriminatory items in the existing law - especially those regarding women and children.And about bloody time.
'Er Indoors and I should be able to complete the marriage procedures started 15 years ago. Once we have, Our Kid will no longer be a bastard ~ on paper rather than metaphorically.
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