Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Holy Scripture teaches that after turning to God in prayer, humans are called to “disperse across the land and seek God’s bounty,” finding blessings wherever they live and work.
Throughout history, people have pursued opportunities not only in their homeland but also wherever their journeys lead them, contributing their lives to a greater purpose.The inhabitants of this archipelago have long embraced this calling, venturing beyond their birthplace, and often beyond their country, to build new livelihoods. Many have chosen to settle and raise families abroad, all while preserving a deep bond and enduring connection with Indonesia.
According to government estimates, the Indonesian diaspora numbers between 6 and 9 million people, including those who still hold Indonesian citizenship as well as former citizens and their descendants. This makes the size of the Indonesian diaspora comparable to the entire population of Austria.
Such a large global community holds significant potential for Indonesia’s development. With broader exposure to skills, knowledge, networks, and financial opportunities abroad, the diaspora is well-positioned to become a valuable partner in advancing the nation’s economic and social progress.
According to the Director General for Information and Public Diplomacy at the Foreign Ministry, Heru Hartanto Subolo, President Prabowo Subianto’s Astacita agenda recognized the Indonesian diaspora as an important partner to strengthen economic interests, expand global networks, and bolster the nation’s competitiveness.
The National Middle-term Development Plan (RPJMN) for the 2025-2029 period also placed the Indonesian diaspora as one of the pillars in advancing national diplomacy.
According to the RPJMN, the Indonesian government should work to advance “Astacita and economic diplomacy” as foundations of Indonesia’s international relations, by optimizing the role of the Indonesian diaspora, besides seeking active participation in international forums and developing a diplomatic posture.
Embracing diaspora
To carry out their commitments to the diaspora, as mandated by the RPJMN, the Indonesian government is working intensively to engage more with the diaspora by assuring their rights in national development.
In the legal sector, the House of Representatives (DPR) has designated the revision of Law No. 12 of 2006 on Citizenship as one of the priority bills in 2026. One of the purposes of the revision is to strengthen the engagement between the government and the diaspora.
The revision also aims to redefine the role of the Indonesian diaspora from merely “Indonesians abroad” or “foreign descendants of Indonesians” into a key partner in national development through inclusive legal recognition.
Efforts to strengthen the diaspora’s status in the nation’s government were also seen in the establishment of a Diaspora Affairs Directorate at the Foreign Ministry, which is active under the Directorate General of Information and Public Diplomacy.
The new directorate, headed by Director Devdy Risa, has started its move to conceive a grand strategy to promote diaspora involvement in national development.
He explained that the strategy aims to identify and optimize the potential of the Indonesian diaspora in various sectors, to set up a governance model, and to establish short-term, medium-term, and long-term policy and roadmap recommendations.
Another significant move has also been initiated by the Immigration and Correction Affairs Ministry, with its “Global Citizenship of Indonesia” scheme targeting diaspora who want to reconnect with Indonesia after relinquishing their Indonesian citizenship.
Immigration and Correction Minister Agus Andrianto said that GCI will be “a solution to address the dual citizenship issue by providing broad residency rights for foreign nationals who have a strong bond with Indonesia.” Indonesia prohibits dual citizenship.
Baca juga: National Police Chief send logistical aid 3.5 tons to North Tapanuli
According to the ministry, GCI is an “unlimited” residency permit for foreign nationals with blood, kinship, historical, or strong relations with Indonesia. The document provided the rights for foreign subjects to participate in Indonesian development.
Apart from addressing legal issues, Indonesia also bolsters its engagement with the diaspora in other sectors, such as education and the creative economy.
The Creative Economy Ministry, for instance, established “1,000 Creative Diaspora” as a digital platform to register, map, and connect creative Indonesian diaspora throughout the world. Meanwhile, the Higher Education Ministry promised to facilitate the diaspora with a doctoral academic title to teach in Indonesian universities.
Steps onward
In recent years, the aspirations of the Indonesian diaspora to deepen their engagement with their country of origin have become increasingly visible. These aspirations include the establishment of a dedicated diaspora body, enhanced investment and residency frameworks, and the creation of a special overseas constituency in the DPR.
Recognizing the importance of these ideas, the Indonesian government has begun to address them step by step, seeking to strengthen the diaspora’s formal recognition and expand its role within national governance.
For instance, the Foreign Ministry’s Diaspora Directorate planned to establish a “Diaspora Single Data” system, beginning next year, to integrate data on the Indonesian diaspora across various government agencies.
The Foreign Ministry has also projected the establishment of a national diaspora body by 2029. This institution would oversee diaspora affairs and strengthen cross-agency coordination in serving and supporting Indonesians abroad.
Baca juga: Govt to bring national internship participants to 100,000 in Batch 3
The proposal has been endorsed by former Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal, who noted that such a body is among the key aspirations consistently voiced by the Indonesian diaspora.
According to Djalal, the diaspora’s role in national development is gaining increasing recognition, particularly as President Prabowo Subianto has set an ambitious target of achieving 8 percent economic growth by the end of his term.
Djalal, also serving as an advisor to the Indonesia Diaspora Network (IDN) Global, urged the government to optimize all potential from the diaspora, as government support can motivate more diaspora to contribute to national development and global progress.
Meanwhile, an international relations expert from Padjadjaran University, Teuku Rezasyah, highlighted that the rich experience and knowledge of the Indonesian diaspora, gained through their interactions abroad, can provide a more nuanced perspective on approaches to national development.
“Consistent with their lives outside Indonesia, the diaspora have a balanced comprehension about developments in their home country and in the country they currently reside,” Rezasyah said.
The academic even described the diaspora as a “spiritual bridge” that connects the Indonesian government and people with communities and stakeholders abroad.
Although many have changed their citizenship or residency status after moving to new countries, their affection, longing, and deep sense of connection to their birthplace remain strong.
This enduring sympathy has inspired many to contribute to Indonesia, whether they see it as their homeland or the land of their ancestors. With their profound aspirations to support the nation, let us welcome them warmly, offering a true red carpet by recognizing their vital roles and contributions to Indonesia’s national development.
