Indonesia confirms citizenship for 133 settlers in Bitung City

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1 hour ago

Manado (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Ministry of Law has issued citizenship decrees confirming the legal status of 133 undocumented settlers of Filipino descent in Bitung City, North Sulawesi.

“The granting of citizenship decrees to 133 undocumented settlers in Bitung City has gone through a verification and inspection process in accordance with applicable regulations,” North Sulawesi Law Office Head Alex Cosmas Pinem said in Bitung City on Sunday.

He made the remarks during an official ceremony to hand over the decrees confirming citizenship status for undocumented residents of Filipino descent.

Pinem said the decree aims to provide legal certainty by formally recognizing the citizenship status of the 133 settlers.

“This activity is to provide recognition and certainty of legal status for settlers who have fulfilled the requirements in accordance with statutory provisions,” Pinem said.

Granting citizenship to residents of Filipino descent supports efforts to establish orderly population administration, streamline public services, and provide legal protection to the community.

Pinem expressed gratitude to the local government for facilitating the verification and document inspection process.

“We should all know that the longing for Indonesian Filipinos who do not yet have citizenship status is very great,” he added.

Pinem noted that his office will set up a dedicated legal aid desk for residents receiving citizenship confirmation decrees, particularly those running or seeking to establish local businesses.

“We are also ready to facilitate the establishment of individual companies for them,” he said.