Kenegaraan

Kenegaraan is a term used in Indonesian and Malay contexts to denote the state of belonging to a nation or state. It encompasses both the legal status of citizenship and the broader sense of national identity, allegiance, and political membership. In many discussions, kenegaraan sits between the legal concept of kewarganegaraan (citizenship) and the cultural idea of national belonging, with the exact meaning shaped by national constitutions and statutory law.

Etymology and scope: The root negara means state, and the suffix -an yields a noun referring to a condition or quality. Kenegaraan therefore refers to the condition of being part of a nation-state, including rights, duties, and protections provided by the state. Kenegaraan therefore refers to the condition of being part of a nation-state, including rights, duties, and protections provided by the state.

Legal framework: Citizenship laws establish how a person acquires or loses kenegaraan—by birth, descent, or naturalization—with limits on dual or multiple citizenship that vary by country.

Acquisition and loss: Common pathways include birth within the territory, parentage, or formal naturalization; loss or restoration may result from renunciation, revocation, or changes in law, and can raise questions about statelessness when status is dropped or not granted.

Contemporary issues: Debates on kenegaraan touch on jus sanguinis versus jus soli, dual citizenship policies, statelessness, and the integration of migrant communities. The concept remains central to politics, immigration, and social cohesion in many countries.

See also: Kewarganegaraan, Jus sanguinis, Jus soli, Statelessness, Nationality law.