Loyalty Dilemma: Challenges and Opportunities of Dual Citizenship Policy for the Indonesian Diaspora

Abstract

The issue of loyalty and the potential of dual citizenship policies for the Indonesian diaspora, especially the generation of students in the 1960s, is a major concern in the context of state and diaspora relations. This research aims to explore the dynamics of transnational identity, the challenges of a single citizenship policy, and the potential contribution of the diaspora to national development. Using a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews and document analysis, this research explores the perspectives of the Indonesian diaspora regarding the limitations of their citizenship status and the potential of dual citizenship policy as an optimal solution. The results show that Indonesian diasporas often experience a dilemma between the desire to contribute to the homeland and the limitations imposed by the single citizenship status. A dual citizenship policy is seen as a potential measure to increase diaspora participation in national development. In addition, the research identifies the importance of a national strategy that includes comprehensive diaspora mapping, flexible engagement mechanisms, brain circulation programs, and economic initiatives such as diaspora bonds. However, challenges in implementing these policies include issues of dual loyalty and administrative complexity. The implications of this research include recommendations to revise citizenship laws, develop an integrated diaspora database, and create special programs for diaspora youth. This research makes an important contribution to understanding state-diaspora relations and emphasizes the urgency of an inclusive policy approach in the era of globalization to maximize diaspora potential for national development.