Kezia Syifa Maghfira May Lose Indonesian Citizenship After Joining the U.S. Army

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Disclaimer:

This article is written for informational and educational purposes only. The information presented is based on publicly available sources, general legal references, and media reports at the time of writing. It does not constitute legal advice or an official statement from any government authority. Individual cases related to citizenship status may vary depending on specific facts, official investigations, and legal decisions by the relevant authorities. Readers are encouraged to consult official government sources or legal professionals for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Please sit and relax as you navigate this post. Enjoy. Thank you.  (Asep Haryono)

Kezia Syifa Maghfir?  Who is she anyway?

Well, Indonesian social media has recently been abuzz with the story of an Indonesian woman, Kezia Syifa Maghfira, who chose to pursue a career as a soldier in the United States Army. While many people praise her courage and achievement, this decision also carries serious legal consequences related to her Indonesian citizenship.

Kezia Syifa Maghfira, originally from Tangerang, West Java,Indonesia decided to join the U.S. Army at a young age. Her story went viral after photos and videos of her wearing an American military uniform circulated widely on social media. Many Indonesians expressed admiration and pride, seeing her journey as inspiring and impressive.

Kezia Syifa Maghfira, from Tangerang, West Java, Indonesia, decided to join the U.S. Army. Her decision went viral in Indonesia and was widely reported by local media, sparking intense public discussion. Photo courtesy of Media Indonesia Youtube Channel 

Find the video from Media Indonesia Channel
 

However, joining a foreign military is not a new issue for Indonesia.

This situation has happened before. Former Indonesian Marine Satria Arta Kumbara lost his Indonesian citizenship after joining Russian military forces without permission from the President of Indonesia. The Minister of Law and Human Rights later confirmed that, under Indonesian law, serving in a foreign military without approval leads to the automatic loss of Indonesian citizenship.

Read also Satria Arta Kumbara, the Mercenary Who Fought for Russia Is an Indonesian National.

Behind the praise and viral excitement, there is a serious legal issue that many people may not fully understand: the risk of losing Indonesian citizenship. What Indonesian law actually says, why this issue happens, and what young Indonesians should know before making similar decisions

My friends.....

I have no idea if People often say that joining the U.S. Army is not easy. I really have no idea about it, however from my perspective and assumption It requires strong physical ability, mental strength, discipline, and commitment. For some Indonesians living abroad, the U.S. military is also seen as a pathway to a better life, stable income, education, and faster access to a Green Card or U.S. citizenship.

From a personal achievement point of view, this looks impressive. But from a legal point of view in Indonesia, the situation is very sensitive. Indonesia has clear rules about citizenship. These rules are written in Law No. 12 of 2006 on Indonesian Citizenship.

According to Article 23(d) of this law, an Indonesian citizen can lose their citizenship if they enter service in a foreign military without permission from the President of the Republic of Indonesia (Now is Prabowo Subianto). This means joining any foreign army , including the U.S. Army , can cause automatic loss of Indonesian citizenship if there is no official presidential approval.

The Oath of Allegiance Issue
Another important point is the oath of allegiance. When someone joins the U.S. military, they must take an oath that includes loyalty to the United States and obedience to its Constitution and military command. Under Indonesian law, this matters a lot. Article 23(f) states that Indonesian citizenship can be lost if someone voluntarily swears loyalty to another country. So even if a person does not immediately become a U.S. citizen, taking the military oath alone can be enough to trigger the loss of Indonesian citizenship.

Dual Citizenship? Its a Confusion
This is where many people get confused. Indonesia does not recognize dual citizenship for adults. Only children can temporarily hold dual citizenship under special conditions, and they must choose one nationality when they become adults.

So if an adult Indonesian joins a foreign military and later becomes a citizen of another country, Indonesian citizenship is usually lost automatically.

From Indonesia’s perspective, it is seen as a transfer of loyalty away from the Republic of Indonesia. This difference in legal systems often causes shock when such cases go viral.

This is not just theory. Indonesia has handled several real cases where citizens lost their citizenship after joining foreign militaries without permission. Government officials, including the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, have repeatedly confirmed that the law is clear and has been enforced.

Remember the rule is real.
An Indonesian citizen can lose their citizenship if they join the U.S. Army or any foreign military without presidential permission, especially if they take an oath of allegiance. However, each case still depends on details such as whether the person officially enlisted, whether they took the military oath, and whether presidential permission existed. Social media often simplifies these details, which can lead to misunderstanding.

This viral story is a reminder that big life decisions have serious legal consequences, especially when they involve another country’s military. Chasing dreams is important, and building a better future is natural. But understanding the law is just as important.

Before joining any foreign military, Indonesians should learn the legal consequences, consult official sources, and think carefully about their citizenship status. Once citizenship is lost, getting it back is not simple.

I share this viral story because it may be interesting for fellow bloggers abroad, especially those in the United States. For American bloggers reading this, I would love to hear your perspective and opinions as U.S. citizens.

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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"