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PEOPLE
The population policy is directed toward development of the
population as human resources in order that the national development can be
effective and valuable, while the quality of life is gradually improving.
Meanwhile, control of population growth is carried out through efforts to
lower the birth and mortality rate, especially that of infants and children.
These efforts in particular have been implemented through family planning
programs which also have the purpose of improving the welfare of mother and
child and at the same time create a small, happy, and prosperous family.
The implementation of population policy has noted significant
progress. In 1998, the life expectancy was 64.7 years, the crude death rate
was 7.7 per 1,000 people, and the infant mortality rate was 50 per 1,000
live birth. Meanwhile the crude birth rate in 1998 was 22.7 per 1,000 people
and the total fertility rate was 2,59 per
woman. Until June 1999, the total population is approximately 209 millions.
THE NATIONALITY ACT
Indonesian nationality is governed by Act No. 62 of 1958. It
defines an Indonesian national as a person who, since the beginning of
independence on August 17, 1945, qualifies for citizenship under the
existing laws.
Further, a person whose mother is an Indonesian national, but
whose father's nationality is unknown or whose father is stateless. shall
quality for Indonesian citizenship. Also, a person who was born in Indonesia
from unknown parents, or an orphan whose parents are unknown, or a person
born in Indonesia who does not inherit any nationality from his/her parents,
shall qualify for Indonesian citizenship.
A five year old child, who is adopted by foster parents of
Indonesian nationality, shall qualify for Indonesian nationality if the
foster parents apply to a court to legitimize the adoption within one year
and request is granted.
A child born from a legitimate marriage of an Indonesian
mother and an alien father shall, in the event a divorce is granted by the
court, quality for Indonesian nationality if he/she so decides.
A child born from a legitimate or illegitimate marriage
between an alien father and an Indonesian mother is entitled to become an
Indonesian national if he/she applies to the Minister of Justice, having
abandoned his/her alien nationality according to the law of the foreign
country or in accordance with an agreement concluded between Indonesia and a
foreign country. In such case a child shall submit the application within a
year after reaching the age of 18. To obtain the Indonesian nationality,
aliens must fulfill the following conditions:
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Have reached the age of 21 or over;
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Were born in Indonesia or have lived in Indonesia
continuously for 5 years, or interruptedly for 10 years;
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Have a fair command of the Indonesian language and
knowledge of Indonesian history, and have never been convicted by a
court for a breach of law or for any act against Indonesia;
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Have the consent of the wife/husband;
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Are mentally and physically healthy;
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Pay a fee of not less than Rp500 and not more than
Rp 10,000, which shall be decided by the court, taking into
consideration the applicant's income;
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Have permanent employment;
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Have no other nationality or have abandoned his/her
nationality which is in conformity with an agreement on dual nationality
reached between Indonesia and the foreign country.
An alien married woman is not entitled to apply for
Indonesian citizenship. However, the Indonesian nationality may be granted
to aliens who have proved meritorious and have served the interest of
Indonesia. Such nationality shall be granted with the approval of the House
of Representatives.
An alien wife of an Indonesian national is entitled to
Indonesian citizenship if she so wishes and makes a statement to that effect
within a year of the marriage. This does not apply if the husband has
abandoned his Indonesian nationality.
An Indonesian woman married to an alien husband shall lose
her Indonesian nationality if she makes a statement to this effect within a
year of her marriage.
Indonesian nationality obtained by a husband shall automatically apply to
his wife except where she, after acquiring the Indonesian nationality, does
not abandon her alien nationality.
If a person
loses his/her Indonesian nationality, his wife/her husband also loses it,
except both of them are stateless.
A person who has lost his/her Indonesian nationality by
marriage can regain it if the marriage is broken off and the person applies
for it. Such an application shall include a statement of the divorce
and be submitted to a court or an Indonesian diplomatic mission abroad.
A child under the age of 18 who is not married and retains
his/her kinship with the father who has not yet acquired the Indonesian
nationality, qualifies for Indonesian nationality if he/she lives
permanently in Indonesia.
If a widow or widower obtains Indonesian nationality,
her/his child shall be entitled to the same provided that the latter is
under 18 years of age and not married. This also applies to children under
18 and not married, born to parents who have lost their Indonesian
nationality.
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