Deputy Finance Minister Reminds LPDP Recipients: This Is Taxpayer Money, Respect the Indonesian People

Jakarta—Deputy Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara has reminded recipients of scholarships from the Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP) to respect the Indonesian people and recognise their contribution to the programme.

“So respect the Indonesian people when receiving scholarships from LPDP,” said Suahasil on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The reminder follows the controversy surrounding Dwi Sasetningtyas, who posted statements about her children’s citizenship status and made contentious remarks. In a video, she stated: “I know the world seems unfair. But let it be just me who is Indonesian; my children shouldn’t be. Let’s try to have children with strong passports as foreign nationals.”

The online community reacted with anger to her statements, particularly given that Dwi and her husband, Arya Iwantoro, are recipients of LPDP scholarships.

Suahasil emphasised that the funds received by LPDP recipients come from taxes collected by the government from the public.

“LPDP recipients use Indonesian taxpayer money that we collect from taxes each year, which enters the state budget, and a portion of which we set aside to create an enduring fund that finances scholarships,” he explained.