Indonesian energy minister Arcandra Tahar sacked for holding dual citizenship

Indonesian President Joko Widodo sacked his energy minister late on Monday just weeks after filling the key cabinet post, following revelations his new appointee improperly held Indonesian and United States passports.

Arcandra Tahar, a former oil and gas executive who lived in the US for 20 years, was dismissed as a cabinet minister following days of controversy surrounding his dual citizenship.

Indonesian law does not allow for dual nationality. An Indonesian must renounce their citizenship should they take another passport.

Questions about Arcandra’s citizenship began swirling at the weekend when it emerged that he possessed US and Indonesian passports.

Tahar held US citizenship since being naturalised four years ago, but had not surrendered his Indonesian passport.