REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Minister/State Secretary Pratikno has stated that Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Archandra Tahar is an Indonesian passport holder.

"So, we want to confirm that Mr Archandra Tahar is a holder of Indonesian passport. He entered Indonesia using his Indonesian passport, which is still valid until 2017," Pratikno said here, Sunday, when attending the National Scout Jamboree kicked off by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

He said many Indonesians who have made great achievements still live overseas. "This one is very important to help our country, our own nation, moreover Mr Archandra has had international qualification," he said.

\He said President Jokowi was interested in having Archandra Tahar in his cabinet lineup because Archandra has a title of PhD in ocean engineering. Archandra accepted the president's offer because he wants to dedicate his services to the nation, Pratikno said.

There was a report that Archandra Tahar is a holder of two passports respectively from Indonesia and the United States. Indonesia does not recognize dual citizenship policy.

Minister Archandra Tahar also confirmed that he is an Indonesian passport holder. "My Indonesian passport is still valid. Please check," he told the press in the office of the energy and mineral resources ministry.

He said he had returned his US citizenship. Archandra Tahar was installed as new energy and mineral resources minister by President Jokowi on July 27, 2016.

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