LPDP Scholarship Recipient Faces Scrutiny Over Child’s Citizenship Status

Jakarta – A recent case involving an Indonesian citizen receiving the prestigious LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education) scholarship has sparked debate regarding child citizenship rights. Dwi Sasetyaningtyas (DS), the scholarship recipient, stated her child had acquired British citizenship, a claim that has drawn scrutiny from Indonesian authorities.

Citizenship Concerns and Indonesian Law

Widodo, the Director General of General Legal Administration (AHU), stated that DS’s child remains an Indonesian citizen, despite the mother’s assertion of British citizenship. “If you appear at the lineage of his birth and parents, of course he still has the status of an Indonesian citizen,” Widodo explained in a press conference. Kompas.com

The core of the issue lies in the fact that DS and her husband declared themselves as foreign citizens, potentially infringing upon their child’s rights. Indonesian law prioritizes lineage (jus sanguinis) in determining citizenship. This means a child born to Indonesian citizens generally retains Indonesian citizenship, regardless of their place of birth.

UK Citizenship and Jus Soli

England, where DS is currently residing, does not operate under a jus soli system – citizenship based on place of birth. Simply being born in the UK does not automatically grant citizenship. The UK government’s official website details the requirements for British citizenship, which typically involve parental citizenship or a significant period of residency.

Because the child’s birth was not automatically recognized as conferring British citizenship, and given the parents’ Indonesian lineage, the child’s legal status remains that of an Indonesian citizen. Widodo emphasized that the child is too young to independently determine their citizenship status.

Potential Violation of Child Protection Rights

Widodo highlighted the potential for DS to be violating her child’s rights by attempting to impose a citizenship status that doesn’t align with the child’s legal standing. “This is certainly a lesson for all of us, especially since the Child Protection Law cannot impose anything on the rights of their children, which means parents are intervening too much with their children,” he stated. Kompas.com

LPDP Scholarship and Citizenship Requirements

The LPDP scholarship is a highly competitive program funded by the Indonesian government to support Indonesian citizens pursuing higher education abroad. The LPDP website outlines the requirements for applicants, which include maintaining Indonesian citizenship throughout the duration of the scholarship and a mandatory return to Indonesia for a specified period after completing their studies.

While the LPDP guidelines don’t explicitly address situations where a recipient attempts to change their child’s citizenship, the incident with DS raises questions about the program’s oversight and enforcement of citizenship requirements.

Key Takeaways

• DS’s child legally remains an Indonesian citizen due to the principle of jus sanguinis.
• The UK does not automatically grant citizenship based on place of birth (jus soli).
• DS’s actions potentially violate her child’s rights by attempting to impose a citizenship status not legally recognized.
• The incident highlights the importance of understanding and adhering to Indonesian citizenship laws, particularly for LPDP scholarship recipients.

This case serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding citizenship and the rights of children, particularly in cases involving international relocation and dual citizenship. Further clarification from the Indonesian government regarding the LPDP scholarship’s citizenship requirements and potential consequences for violations may be forthcoming.