New Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arcandra Tahar, left, has been accused of allegedly holding a dual citizenship from Indonesia and the United States. (Antara Photo/Muhammad Adimaja)

Jakarta. New Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arcandra Tahar has been accused of allegedly violating immigration and state ministry laws, as Indonesian netizens pointed out that he holds dual citizenship from Indonesia and the United States.

Arcandra allegedly still holds a US passport, which he acquired through a naturalization process in March 2012. As Indonesia does not allow dual citizenship, one of his passports should have been automatically revoked.

Prior to getting his US passport in February, Arcandra had applied for an Indonesian passport at the Indonesian Consulate General in Houston. This passport, many say now, should never have been granted.

Arcandra allegedly arrived back in Indonesia to take up his new position as Energy Minister replacing Sudirman Said using the Indonesian passport he had received in Houston.

This dual citizenship accusation raises questions on Arcandra’s credibility to be the president's close aide in a crucial sector: energy and mineral resources.

Arcandra, who met with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in an informal meeting at the presidential palace in Jakarta, Saturday (13/08), did not respond to reporters' questions about his alleged dual citizen status.

Arcandra only let out a brief smile and answer before leaving the premises. "Look at my face," Arcandra said as quoted by detik.com, adding that, "This is what you call a Padang [face]."

Meanwhile, Indonesian social media has been abuzz with the controversy over Arcandra’s alleged dual citizenship, with many regretting the fact that the information only surfaced after the cabinet reshuffle was announced on July 27.

According to Immigration Office record, Arcandra had entered Indonesia with his US passport four times between March 2012 and July 2016.