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Harnessing the Potential of the Indonesian Diaspora

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 March 2019

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Summary

Introduction

According to data from the United Nations, Indonesia now has the fifteenth largest diaspora population in the world. With various estimates placing the number of overseas Indonesians at up to 8 million people worldwide, the Indonesian diaspora has enormous economic, social, and political potentials for Indonesia that have largely remained untapped. However, in recent times, the Indonesian government has displayed greater recognition towards the contribution and specific needs of the country's diaspora.

Indeed, members of Indonesia's overseas communities have more actively organized themselves in the last few years through lobby groups such as the Indonesian Diaspora Network (IDN) spearheaded by Dr Dino Patti Djalal, former Indonesian Ambassador to the United States and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). Overseas community groups like IDN have demanded greater recognition of their national belonging from the government, regardless of whether they are still Indonesian citizens or not. As well as recognition, these expatriates are also lobbying for legislative changes that would allow them to maintain both material and emotional attachments in Indonesia, such as land ownership, business interests, and the ability to vote in elections.

In response, the government has promised to review the dual citizenship law, and has in the meantime proposed other diaspora-specific initiatives designed to strengthen ties between overseas Indonesians and the “homeland”. Indeed, the Indonesian government seems to have begun to realize the importance of mobilizing its overseas diaspora to advance its national interests. Here, Indonesia has much to learn from countries such as China and India that have successfully utilized their diaspora networks as economic, cultural, and political mediators in advancing their respective state agendas.

In this article, I examine recent issues and developments in Indonesian diaspora activism, including the progress of long-standing requests such as changes to the dual citizenship law. I then discuss some of the ways in which the Indonesian government may harness the potential of its diaspora in the future, especially since overseas Indonesians are now wealthier, more mobile, and better connected than ever before. I argue that the case study of the Indonesian state's growing relationship with its diaspora can enrich our understanding of how Southeast Asian countries are cultivating better and more beneficial relationships with their diaspora communities.

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Publisher: ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute
Print publication year: 2017

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