President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has hinted at reappointing Arcandra Tahar as Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, following the conclusion of the dual citizenship case.(Antara Photo/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)

Jakarta. Sacked Energy Minister Arcandra Tahar is now stateless after the Indonesian government revoked his nationality after accepting a United States passport.

Freddy Haris, law administration director at the Legal Ministry, on Wednesday (17/08) said according to Indonesian laws on citizenship, Arcandra automatically lost the right to his Indonesian passport after receiving the US-issued passport.

“But, he also lost his US citizenship after he accept the offer to become minister in Indonesia,” Freddy said, as quoted from state-run news agency Antara.

According to US law, US citizens will lose their passport automatically if they hold a public or political position in other country.

The Indonesian government is assisting Arcandra in regaining his Indonesian citizenship, he said.

"There are a few ways to get Indonesian citizenship," Freddy said, adding people can become naturalized if the state needs their service.

Reinstating Arcandra's citizenship via his services should be easy, Freddy said, after he saved billions of rupiah within 20 days of being a minister.

Freddy noted that neither Arcandra nor the President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo intended to lie or mislead on the issue.