Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders Official Indonesian Citizens, Erick Thohir: Everyone is Fighting for Indonesia

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – PSSI General Chair, Erick Thohir, expressed his high appreciation to various parties, including President Joko Widodo, the DPR, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, and the Ministry of Home Affairs, who had helped speed up the naturalization process for two footballers, Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders, who were sworn in as citizens. Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Brussels, Belgium, today Monday (29/9/2024).

Erick emphasized that the acceleration of the naturalization process for Mees and Eliano abroad was not something extraordinary, but rather an adjustment to the time and needs of the Indonesian national team which was preparing to face the 2026 World Cup qualification in the Asian zone.

“I would like to thank all parties who made it possible for the Indonesian citizen oath-taking process for Mees and Eliano to take place more quickly,” he said.

Erick also revealed the reason for the oath taking of the two players in Brussels, Belgium. “If it had to be done in Indonesia, the two players would not have any time off, while we hope that both of them can immediately strengthen the Indonesian National Team against Bahrain and China in October 2024. This is the result of cooperation from all parties, and I am proud because everyone is working for Indonesia,” said Erick Thohir in Jakarta, Monday (30/9/2024).

Before the swearing-in procession of Indonesian citizens Mees and Eliano took place in Brussels, PSSI moved quickly in the last week. Starting from discussions at Commissions III and VI of the DPR which immediately gave approval on Thursday (26/9/2024). Erick Thohir also met with the Minister of Law and Human Rights, Supratman Andi Agtas, so that the presidential decree could be issued and allow the swearing-in procession of Indonesian citizens abroad.

The oath-taking process was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, the Director General of AHU, Cahyo Rahadian Muzhar, as well as the Indonesian Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union, Andri Hadi, and member of the PSSI Executive Committee, Arya Sinulingga.

“I hope that maximum support from all parties will strengthen our national team in the two away matches against Bahrain and China. I am optimistic that coach Shin Tae-yong will have a new strategy with the presence of two mainstay players from their respective clubs,” continued Erick . The Indonesian national team is scheduled to compete against Bahrain on Thursday (10/10/2024), and China on Tuesday (15/10/2024).

Eliano Reijnders, who currently plays as a midfielder for the Dutch Eredivisie club, PEC Zwolle, has Indonesian blood from his mother, Angelina Syane Lekatompessy, who comes from Ambon and was born in Jakarta. Meanwhile, Mees Hilgers, who is also 23 years old, is FC Twente’s main defender, and has Indonesian ancestry from his mother, Linda Tombeng, who comes from North Sulawesi.