His citizenship has been revoked for violating Article 23 of Law Number 12 of 2006, which states that joining a foreign military service without presidential permission will result in the automatic loss of Indonesian citizenship.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government is currently reviewing a request by a former Marine Corps soldier, Satria Arta Kumbara, to restore his Indonesian citizenship, which was revoked after he joined a Russian mercenary force.

“We are looking for the best solution,” State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said while responding to reporters’ questions at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Friday.

Hadi informed that the government is coordinating intensively with the relevant institutions, such as the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Directorate General of Immigration of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), particularly the TNI commander and the Chief of Staff of the Navy (KSAL).

According to Hadi, who is also the presidential spokesperson, the deliberations on the request cannot be rushed, but require careful thought due to the legal, immigration, and strategic military implications.

He said that the government is committed to an appropriate and fair resolution to the case.

Kumbara, a former Indonesian Marine Corps soldier who was dishonorably discharged for desertion and joined a mercenary force in Russia, has said that he wants to return to Indonesia and regain his citizenship.

In an apology video, he admitted to signing a Russian military contract due to financial pressures, without understanding the legal consequences.

His citizenship has been revoked for violating Article 23 of Law Number 12 of 2006, which states that joining a foreign military service without presidential permission will result in the automatic loss of Indonesian citizenship.

To regain Indonesian citizenship, he will need to apply for naturalization. However, currently, he remains under a military contract in Russia and faces legal consequences for desertion in Indonesia.







Translator: Andi Firdaus, Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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