Citizenship and Values Controversy: LHS Calls on Public for National Introspection
Jakarta — Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, initiator of the Gerakan Nurani Bangsa movement and Indonesia’s 22nd Minister of Religion, has urged the public not to hastily judge young people deemed not proud to be Indonesian citizens, amidst a viral controversy involving Dwi Sasetyaningtyas (DS), an alumna of the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) scholarship programme.
“Do not rush to punish our children who are not proud to be Indonesian citizens. Let us engage in self-reflection together; what have we as parents taught and exemplified to our children?” Saifuddin said in a statement to Republika on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
According to this proponent of religious moderation, dialogue with empathy and conscience is more necessary than imposing social sanctions. He believes that fostering a sense of national pride is inseparable from values and examples instilled within families.
Saifuddin’s statement emerged amid the controversy involving Dwi Sasetyaningtyas, an LPDP scholarship alumna, whose viral social media posts regarding her child’s citizenship sparked public debate and raised questions about the moral obligations of state scholarship recipients.
In response to the case, Widodo, Director General of General Legal Administration at the Ministry of Law, emphasised that the child administratively remains an Indonesian citizen. He noted that minors do not possess the legal capacity to determine their own citizenship status.
“According to documentation, the child’s status remains that of an Indonesian citizen. The parent’s statement on social media does not necessarily constitute a valid legal declaration,” Widodo said at a press conference on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
Widodo also argued that a parent’s unilateral declaration of a child’s foreign citizenship status potentially violates child protection principles. He maintained that a child’s citizenship status cannot be determined before the child reaches adulthood and is capable of making their own legal choices.
Meanwhile, Sudarto, Director General of LPDP, revealed that as of 31 January 2026, eight scholarship recipients have been sanctioned with fund repayment after failing to fulfil their obligation to serve and contribute in Indonesia. Additionally, 36 individuals remain under investigation for alleged violations.
“Eight individuals have been sanctioned with fund repayment. On average, approximately Rp2 billion for PhD-level recipients, whilst master’s-level recipients are below Rp1 billion,” Sudarto said at a media briefing at the Ministry of Finance Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
Sudarto emphasised that LPDP alumni are obligated to return to and contribute in Indonesia in accordance with the 2N+1 service period, which equals twice the duration of their studies plus one additional year. Sanctions for failing to meet this obligation include fund repayment and exclusion from future LPDP programmes.