Indonesia’s Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP) is requesting clarification from the husband of a woman whose viral video sparked debate over national obligations tied to the prestigious scholarship program. The agency is calling in the woman’s husband, identified only as AP, after she publicly stated she wanted her children to avoid Indonesian citizenship. This case underscores the ongoing discussion about the responsibilities of recipients of Indonesian government funding for higher education.
“LPDP is currently conducting an internal review regarding these allegations,” the agency said in a statement Saturday, February 21, 2026. “LPDP is summoning Mr. AP to request clarification, and will initiate a process of sanctions, including the potential repayment of the entire scholarship amount, if We see proven that his contribution obligations to Indonesia have not been fulfilled.”
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AP is currently still receiving the scholarship benefits, but is suspected of not having completed his contribution requirements after finishing his studies.
“LPDP is committed to enforcing rules fairly, consistently, and responsibly to all awardees and alumni, and to continuously maintaining the integrity of the institution in providing maximum benefit to Indonesia,” the agency added.
The LPDP requires all awardees and alumni to fulfill a commitment to contribute to Indonesia for a period twice the length of their studies, plus one year. In the case of DS, who made the initial statement, she completed her Master’s degree and was officially graduated on August 31, 2017, and has already fulfilled her service obligations. “LPDP no longer has a legal obligation with her,” officials stated.
Viral Video Sparks Controversy
The controversy began with a video posted by an Instagram user, @sasetyaningtyas, showing the opening of a long-awaited package. The package contained a letter from the UK Home Office.
The letter confirmed that the account holder’s second child had been granted British citizenship. The woman as well displayed the British passport that arrived with the letter.
“This isn’t just any package, it contains a very vital document that will change the fate and future of my children, let’s open it,” she said in the video.
“This is a letter from the UK Home Office stating that my second child has been accepted as a British citizen,” she continued.
She then stated that she would seek to secure foreign citizenship for her children.
“I know the world seems unfair, but let it be enough that I am Indonesian, my children shouldn’t be. We will strive for our children to have strong foreign passports,” she said.
Watch the video “Heated Case of LPDP ‘Enough That I Am Indonesian, Not My Children’ Ends with Apology”
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