REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Human Rights) of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenkumham RI) sent officers of the Director-General of Legal and Public Administration (AHU) to the Netherlands directly. They will take the oath of two bloody Indonesian players Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders at the Indonesian Embassy for the Netherlands.
The swearing-in as the last condition for becoming an Indonesian Citizen (WNI) is planned to be held on Monday (24/9/2024). Of the Indonesian naturalized players, this is the first time that oath taking was done outside Indonesia.
PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir explained the reasons for taking the oath abroad. “Everything we do always follows the rules. The taking of oaths abroad also does not break the rules. It's been done before as well.”
“Nothing special. Incidentally there is no FIFA match day schedule. So we respect their club, that's why we take the oath there. Everything we do is in accordance with the rules,” Erick told the media on Thursday (September 19, 2024) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office, Jakarta.
Erick also asserted that for the naturalization program carried out no rules were violated. World football is already global, many other countries even the former have naturalized.
“I from PSSI have to have a target for improving the national team, in an honourable way. FIFA rules allow naturalization, even FIFA rules state can naturalize all its players. The Dutch are many of Surinamese descent, France many of its players from the colony country. Even the Spanish class once naturalised the Brazilian player Diego Costa,” he said.
So, he said, PSSI will look for all the best talents that exist abroad who have Indonesian blood to strengthen the Indonesian national team.
Erick insists that the formation of this team is not a short-term program. He stated the fact that the U-19 team can then win for the AFF. While the U-17s ranked third in the AFF, losing to Australia due to a red card at the start of the match.
“This commitment to the development of the national team is not short-term. Don't question their Red-White. Mees Hilgers, we see today, after playing for his club Twente proudly unfurls the Red-White flag,” Erick said.
Meanwhile, Menkumham RI Supratman Andi Agtas stated that he always gives full support to the best talents who can advance Indonesian sport. Including football which is struggling to qualify for the 2025 World Cup.
“We provide optimal support to talents who can advance the sport, in particular the two clubs facing today, football and basketball. Hoping for Menkumham's support on the naturalization of football players. This is a real effort of support from us in order to fight to qualify for the 2026 World Cup,” Supratman said.
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